Vogts: Scotland is full of poor players
Wednesday 14 November 2012
Related articles
The former Scotland manager Alex McLeish believes there are numerous strong candidates to succeed Craig Levein, including caretaker Billy Stark. But Berti Vogts, who was in charge of the Scotland team for two years ending in 2004, believes whoever gets the job will be stymied by "poor players".
The Scottish Football Association sacked Levein last week after a miserable start to the World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign and Stark, the Under-21 manager, will take charge of tonight's friendly in Luxembourg.
Joe Jordan, Gordon Strachan and Walter Smith have all been mentioned as the next manager, with the Scottish Football Association to begin the hunt in earnest following the Luxembourg trip.
McLeish, who was speaking at a Positive Coaching Scotland seminar at Hampden Park, said: "We'd need a miracle to get to Brazil now but hopefully the next group of games is going to give us optimism for the following tournament [Euro 2016]. There are plenty of good candidates to take us forward.
"Gordon fits the bill. People were saying I recommended Joe Jordan the other day, but I mentioned him in the same breath as Gordon. I don't know what Walter's feeling is on it, but these are all guys who have definitely got the stature to handle that job. I don't know if Billy wants the job. I'm sure if he was asked it would be a different story."
McLeish's personal preference is a return to club football after leaving Aston Villa. "It's not something I'm actively pursuing," he added. "I feel I've got unfinished business in club football and I still harbour the day-to-day involvement."
Meanwhile Vogts, who endured a fractious relationship with fans and media before resigning, said: "I heard about Craig Levein only yesterday... I know how he feels. When you take over Scotland you have to live with certain things, with the Scottish media and a lot of poor players. I understand, yes. Expectations are too high, always. They do not invest many pounds in youth and you have to do that."
The SFA chief executive Stewart Regan believes the Luxembourg game is an ideal chance for Stark to prove his credentials. He said: "Billy has got a great opportunity to show what he can do. He's a great guy, he has been very committed to the Under-21s.
"He has agreed to take this position on an interim basis, until the board have decided on the next step.
"Depending on how Billy performs and his own views, then clearly we would keep the door open for any potential candidate at this stage."
Latest in Sport
Sport blogs
iBet: Rose has the ammunition for Wentworth
McDowell did brilliantly to land the World Match Play title in Bulgaria last week, but it’s a format...
by Gareth Purnell
23 May 2013 09:13 AM
Brits on fire in the wet at Le Mans!
Wow - what a weekend for British Motorcycle racing!
by Luke Wilkins
22 May 2013 05:00 AM
iBet: Bale and Rooney transfer specials
The dust is barely settling on the Premier League season and the bookies are looking to persuade us ...
by Gareth Purnell
22 May 2013 02:01 AM
-
Roy Hodgson shuts the England door on Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry
-
On-loan goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois still believes in Chelsea youth policy
-
After racist remark, Sergio Garcia fights for reputation as Tiger Woods slams 'hurtful' fried chicken joke
-
Manuel Pellegrini must decide on futures of Carlos Tevez, Gareth Barry and Joleon Lescott as Manchester City name starting date for new manager
-
Liverpool striker Andy Carroll delays over West Ham move
- 1 Exclusive: Woolwich attack suspect attended meetings of banned Islamist group - and were known by security services
- 2 'Sickening, deluded and unforgivable': Horrific attack brings terror to London’s streets
- 3 Grace Dent: I’m not sure how these people can avoid being called ‘bigots’. And the more ‘civilised’, the worse they are
- 4 Ingrid Loyau-Kennett, the mother-of-two hailed as a hero for confronting Woolwich attackers, thought: 'better me than a child'
- 5 Woolwich attack: The EDL will seek to exploit this evil crime for their own evil ends
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
Visit York
Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world
Making reading fun for kids
Nook is donating eReaders to volunteers at high-need schools and participating in exclusive events throughout the campaign.
Introducing the 'Get Reading' campaign
Get the latest on The Evening Standard's campaign to get London's children reading.
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Career Services
Day In a Page
Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them
Hollywood's random acts of red-carpet kindness
Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last
How to say ‘I’m a sellout’




Comments