Rafael Benitez has refused to rule himself out of the running for the Scotland job after Steve Clarke’s shock exit in the wake of the World Cup.
Clarke stepped down within minutes of elimination despite only recently committing his future to the role, leaving SFA chiefs searching for a successor ahead of the next international cycle.
The former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss has now emerged as a potential contender after admitting on talkSPORT that he would be open to the position and refusing to rule out a move into international management.
He said: “I was watching Scotland and I know some of the players. I think you did well to go there to the World Cup. They achieved what they could achieve. I don’t think that they could have achieved any more.
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“But it’s always a challenge. So I am open to the challenge. I’m open to international football, to national teams, because I think that you can do a different kind of job.”
When pressed directly on the Scotland vacancy, Benitez added: “No, no, it wasn’t a no.”
The 66-year-old is currently out of work after leaving Panathinaikos in May and brings a wealth of experience, having won major honours with Valencia, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Napoli.
Everton boss David Moyes remains the bookmakers’ favourite for the role, while Ange Postecoglou, previously linked by supporters, is no longer in the frame after taking charge of Al-Nassr.
