Walter Smith on panel to select Wotte replacement

Walter Smith has agreed to be included on a four-person panel to identify a new Scottish Football Association Performance Director.
Walter Smith joins a four-man steering group to decide the new SFA Performance Director. Picture: SNSWalter Smith joins a four-man steering group to decide the new SFA Performance Director. Picture: SNS
Walter Smith joins a four-man steering group to decide the new SFA Performance Director. Picture: SNS

The former Rangers manager revealed last week he had no intention of ever returning to an active involvement with the Ibrox club but has been persuaded to lend his experience in the search for Mark Wotte’s successor.

Smith joins a four-man steering group that includes fellow former Scotland manager Andy Roxburgh and current national manager Gordon Strachan. SFA chief executive Stewart Regan makes up the quartet who will sift through over 40 applicants for the role.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Wotte left his post in October and a short-list of candidates to replace him will be drawn up in the next two weeks. The Dutchman was brought in to implement the SFA’s performance strategy and was heavily involved in the setting up of seven regional performance schools.

Walter Smith joins a four-man steering group to decide the new SFA Performance Director. Picture: SNSWalter Smith joins a four-man steering group to decide the new SFA Performance Director. Picture: SNS
Walter Smith joins a four-man steering group to decide the new SFA Performance Director. Picture: SNS

Scotland assistants Mark McGhee and Stuart McCall yesterday watched potential stars of the future in action at Ravenscraig Regional Sports facility as year four of the SFA Regional Performance School programme began in earnest.

“Our next performance director will be a key appointment as we look to build on this good work,” said McGhee. “The young players who are selected for the Scottish FA’s regional performance schools have a wonderful opportunity to begin the journey to the very top of the game. It’s encouraging for the most talented young players in Scotland to see that they have a clear pathway in to the national teams, starting as under-12s.”

Scotland Under 15s, including several of the first intake of performance school pupils, face Ireland in Killarney on Friday.