Twenty-one different people have managed the Scotland national football team since the role became formalised in 1954.
A few managers returned for a second spell, but they are still counted as one individual each.
Overview
Since the manager’s role was created in 1954, 24 different men have led the Scotland national football team.
A few managers returned for a second stint, resulting in a total of 27 separate managerial stints.
The position of Scotland national team manager began in 1954, replacing the old selection-committee system. Since then, 24 different men have taken charge of the national side.
Some managers returned for a second spell, meaning Scotland has had 27 separate managerial stints overall.
Three figures have served two distinct spells:
- Andy Beattie
- Jock Stein
- Alex McLeish
Scotland has also had several caretaker managers, often stepping in between permanent appointments—most notably Dawson Walker, Malcolm MacDonald, Tommy Burns, Billy Stark, and Malky Mackay.
Complete List of Scotland National Team Managers (1954–present)
- Andy Beattie – 1954
- Dawson Walker – 1958 (caretaker)
- Sir Matt Busby – 1958
- Andy Beattie – 1959–1960 (second spell)
- Ian McColl – 1960–1965
- Jock Stein – 1965–1966 (first spell)
- John Prentice – 1966
- Malcolm MacDonald – 1966–1967 (caretaker)
- Bobby Brown – 1967–1971
- Tommy Docherty – 1971–1972
- Willie Ormond – 1973–1977
- Ally MacLeod – 1977–1978
- Jock Stein – 1978–1985 (second spell)
- Alex Ferguson – 1985–1986 (caretaker)
- Andy Roxburgh – 1986–1993
- Craig Brown – 1993–2002
- Berti Vogts – 2002–2004
- Tommy Burns – 2004 (caretaker)
- Walter Smith – 2004–2007
- Alex McLeish – 2007 (first spell)
- George Burley – 2008–2009
- Craig Levein – 2009–2012
- Billy Stark – 2012 (caretaker)
- Gordon Strachan – 2013–2017
- Malky Mackay – 2017 (caretaker)
- Alex McLeish – 2018–2019 (second spell)
- Steve Clarke – 2019–present
Most successful eras?
- Bobby Brown delivered the famous win in 1967, beating England at Wembley.
- Craig Brown remains Scotland’s longest-serving manager.
- Steve Clarke – From Euro 2020 to Euro 2024 and now straight into the 2026 global finals, Steve Clarke has taken Scotland on an unprecedented run — the first time the men’s national team has ever followed consecutive European appearances with qualification for the next worldwide showpiece.
Managers from outside Scotland
- Just one: Berti Vogts (Germany)
First-ever manager
- Andy Beattie was appointed in 1954.
Longest-serving
- Craig Brown (9 years)
Shortest spell
- Tommy Burns, caretaker for one match (2004).
