Rafa Benitez: Ex-Liverpool & Real Madrid boss reveals stance on Scotland amid search for Steve Clarke's successor
The 66-year-old is out of work since leaving Panathinaikos; Steve Clarke stepped down after Scotland's World Cup exit, following seven years in the job; Scotland return to action in the Nations League in September
Friday 10 July 2026 15:31, UK
"I'm open to all the good countries, yes."
Rafa Benitez is not ruling out the possibility of becoming Scotland's next head coach, admitting international football interests him.
The Scottish FA are currently working on a shortlist for Steve Clarke's successor following his decision to quit following their World Cup exit - a month after he signed a new four-year deal.
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The former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss is out of work after leaving Greek giants Panathinaikos at the end of last season.
"I'm open to international football," he told Sky Sports News.
"It's a different way, it's a different approach. You have players that go fully motivated, and then you can organise the team in a way that they will be proud for the country.
"It's not like when you have, in Panathinaikos, 33 players in the squad. So how can you motivate the ones that will not play any games?
"The national team is different, so it's another challenge. Yeah, it could be interesting.
"Any country that they can offer you the possibility to do something, to get something, to achieve something."
Asked specifically about the vacant job at Hampden Park, the 66-year-old added: "I'm open to all the good countries, yes."
Roberto Martinez, who has just left his role at Portugal, has become one of the bookmakers' favourite to replace Clarke.
He's alongside the likes of Everton manager David Moyes, Falkirk boss John McGlynn, Alex Neil of Millwall and current Scotland assistant Steven Naismith.
When will a new head coach be appointed?
Scotland are back in action in September as their Nations League campaign begins.
While SFA CEO Maxwell hopes to appoint someone "as soon as we can", he added it is key "we get the right coach".
With those games a few months away, if no permanent successor is found, another option could be an interim appointment.
It is a route that has been done before, and with someone like Clarke's assistant Steven Naismith in the building already, that could be a road the SFA goes down.
When do Scotland play again?
Whoever replaces Clarke will find themselves in action less than three months, when attention turns to that Nations League campaign.
The first tie is away to Slovenia on September 26, with their first four games played in a two-week period.
The six group games are played in a three-month window, concluding with a trip to take on Switzerland on November 16.
Scotland were demoted from League A after a play-off defeat by Greece last year and return to the second tier for this year's competition.
The new boss will then hope to lead Scotland to the UK and Ireland co-hosted Euros in 2028, and then the World Cup in four years.
Change of the guard?
The new boss will not only have to win matches, but they will need to do so while evolving the squad.
Clarke built a squad with lots of caps and had a core of experienced players.
Captain Andy Robertson, 32, has 97 caps and is chasing Kenny Dalglish's record of 102, so he will be here for the Nations League.
However, Craig Gordon (43), Grant Hanley (34) and Kenny McLean (34) may have played in their last major finals.
There are a group of outfield players who are 30 and above too, such as Jack Hendry, Dom Hyam, Lyndon Dykes, John McGinn, Ryan Christie and Lawrence Shankland.
Goalkeepers are an issue too. Aside from Gordon at 43, both number one Angus Gunn and third keeper Liam Kelly are 30. Although that is not old for a goalkeeper, it highlights that the new head coach will need to find some up-and-coming keepers.
Hearts youngster Liam McFarlane, 21, who was out on loan with Alloa last season, was taken to the USA as a training goalkeeper but it remains to be seen if he will have a head start. There does not seem to be a barrowload of options.
The squad needs an infusion of fresh blood. Ben Gannon-Doak, Findlay Curtis, Tyler Fletcher, Lennon Miller are the future, along with James Wilson of Hearts and Dundee defender Luke Graham, who trained with Scotland in preparation for the World Cup.
However, Scotland need a wider choice of quality youngsters. Cue the regular calls for root and branch reform of the game.
