Steve Clarke is warming to the idea of staying on as Scotland head coach – if he has the option.
The 62-year-old feels the ball is in the court of the Scottish Football Association and revealed he has only had initial, informal talks with chief executive Ian Maxwell.
Clarke, who took over in May 2019 and has led Scotland to three tournaments out of four, is out of contract after the World Cup this summer – and has floated the idea of a return to club management too.
“I’ve had a very brief conversation with Ian [Maxwell] about what they want to do moving forward, but from the last time we spoke, nothing concrete to say this is happening or that’s happening,” he said.
“I’m really comfortable about that. Obviously, you need to think about it.
“Listen, we had an open conversation, I think I said it a way back, 25 [per cent chance I stay] – 75 [per cent chance I leave]. [I would] probably go 50-50 now.
Clarke will lead Scotland to their first World Cup since 1998 this summer after sealing qualification last year
“I’m waiting on the Scottish FA now to come to me and say, look, this is what we see as the future and, if I’m part of that, then we can have that discussion.”
The former West Brom, Reading and Kilmarnock manager added: “I’ve qualified for three tournaments out of four. I think that’s a pretty decent record. Obviously, I’d like to do a little bit better in a tournament this summer, but that’s something that we can address when we get out there.
“The Scottish FA have got to think a little bit about what’s next for them. Do they think that I’m the guy that can go forward and progress the squad into the next tournament and hopefully set us up for a further World Cup qualification in four years’ time? That’s what they have to decide.
“I’ve just got to sit and wait and see if any club jobs…. if anybody approaches me between now and the end of the season, and then I’ll have a decision to make. At the moment, I don’t have a decision to make.”
Clarke hopes to get his future sorted before heading off to the World Cup in June, knowing that clubs who are looking for managers want to make plans for pre-season and the next campaign.
“From my point of view, I’d quite like it settled,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to go to a World Cup in my country, so I’ve now done that. The thing for me is, do the Scottish FA want to keep me to try and go further and further and get more qualifications? That’s what they have to decide.
“Like I say, at the moment I don’t really have a choice to make because they haven’t put an offer in front of me and none of the club sides have put an offer in front of me either.”
