The candidates to replace Burley

Experience Took over as player-manager at Peterborough United in 2007. In his first two seasons he led them from League Two to the Championship. He was sacked last week after a slow start to the current campaign. The son of Sir Alex, he spent most of his playing career with Wolves and Wrexham.

Pros Consecutive promotions at Peterborough suggest he may just have inherited something of his father’s genius in the dugout.

Cons He’s young and inexperienced, and probably doesn’t know the Scottish game too well.

Odds 8/1

Billy Davies

Age 45

Current position 
Nottingham Forest manager

Experience Solid record at Motherwell (1998-2001), took Preston (2004-06) to the Championship play-offs in 2005 and 2006, then left for Derby County, whom he took into the Premier League in his first season, only to be sacked a few months later. Took over at Forest almost a year ago and they currently lie in eighth position.

Pros Has made an impact wherever he has been and has spoken of a long-term plan to revolutionise the Scottish game.

Cons Always been outspoken. May also wish to see out the season with Forest.

Odds 10/1

Paul Lambert

Age 40

Current position 
Norwich City manager

Experience After an illustrious playing career, Lambert started out in management at Livingston in 2005. After winning just two games in half a season, he resigned, but was then appointed by Wycombe Wanderers, whom he took to the semi-finals of the League Cup and into the League Two play-offs. After a season at Colchester United, he took over at Norwich, who lie fifth in League One.

Pros Has been to major tournaments as a Scotland player and will have the respect if the squad.

Cons Not the best talkers. 
His one foray in management in Scotland, with Livingston, was a disaster.

Odds 28/1

Jim Jefferies

Age 58

Current position 
Kilmarnock manager

Experience Guided Falkirk into the Premier Division in 1994 during a five-year stint, then spent the next five at Hearts, with whom he won the Scottish Cup in 1998. He then spent a year at Bradford – part of it in the Premiership – before keeping Kilmarnock in the top flight despite constant cutbacks.

Pros Longest-serving manager in the SPL probably knows its players better than anyone.

Cons Lack of popular support and may not be the figurehead Scotland require.

Odds 7/1

John Collins

Age 41

Current position free agent

Experience Vast experience as a player at home and abroad, he spent little over a year as Hibernian manager after taking over in October 2006. Won the League Cup in his first six months, but reports of unrest in the squad led to Collins resigning the following campaign. Spent last six months of last season as coach of Charleroi and secured their survival in Belgium’s top division.

Pros Has very high standards and is well-regarded, having been linked with jobs in the Premier League and France.

Cons The Hibs revolt attests to an abrasive side to his character that could alienate players and supporters.

Odds 12/1

Steve Mcclaren

Age 48

Current position 
FC Twente manager

Experience After serving as assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, McClaren took over at Middlesbrough in 2001 and over the next five years won the League Cup and took them to a Uefa Cup final. Given job as England manager but failed to qualify for Euro 2008. Resurrected himself at FC Twente in the Netherlands, finishing second last season and leading the Eredivisie at the moment.

Pros His disastrous spell with England will have endeared him no end to the Tartan Army and clearly boasts wealth of experience from 
a varied coaching career.

Cons Um, he managed England. Badly.

Odds not available

Walter Smith

Age 61

Current position 
Rangers manager

Experience Lots. Worked as a coach at Dundee United, Rangers and Manchester United and as a manager in his own right at Ibrox as well as with Everton, Scotland, often with excellent results.

Pros The job would not be too big for him. Restored pride in the national team in difficult circumstances after taking over from Berti Vogts in 2004. Is adept at dealing with the media.

Cons Despite a good track record, many supporters were highly aggrieved at the way he left to return to Rangers in 2007 and would not welcome him back.

Odds 3/1

Craig Levein

Age 45

Current position 
Dundee United manager

Experience Represented Scotland 16 times as a player and has done in management, too. Served apprenticeship at Cowdenbeath before moving to Hearts, Leicester City, Raith Rovers then United.

Pros Has impressed on limited resources, apart from an ill-fated spell in England. His teams are always well-organised and competitive. Has many admirers and 
often linked with bigger jobs.

Cons Has a famously frosty relationship with the SFA in general and Gordon Smith, the chief executive, in particular after a few run-ins over the years. Has never actually won anything and retains a desire to return to England to prove himself.

Odds 7/2

Gary McAllister

Age 44

Current position free agent

Experience Plenty as a player, not so much as a manager. Starred for Leicester, Leeds United, Coventry, Liverpool and Scotland during his playing days. Cut short his first job in management in Coventry to look after his sick wife. Sacked as Leeds manager last year.

Pros Despite being booed on the last of his 57 appearances for Scotland against the Czech Republic in 1999, the former captain is still held in high esteem by the support and his appointment would be welcomed by many.

Cons Turned down the chance to join the Scotland setup as a coach earlier this year to try and land a full-time club position. Despite doing well to begin with at Elland Road, a bad run of results ultimately resulted in him being shown the door.

Odds 6-1

Joe Jordan

Age 57

Current position Tottenham first-team coach

Experience Glittering career as a player, scoring goals for Leeds United, Manchester United and AC Milan as well as Scotland. Has managed Bristol City (twice), Hearts and Stoke City. Is currently first-team coach at Spurs after filling a similar role for Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth.

Pros As the only man to 
have scored in three World Cup finals for his country, Jordan is still a legend to Scotland fans and they would be 100% behind him.

Cons Despite managing at several clubs, has never really convinced in the dugout. Would he be prepared to give up his role alongside long-term associate Redknapp at White Hart Lane?

Odds 12/1

Mark McGhee

Age 52

Current position 
Aberdeen manager

Experience A striker for Aberdeen, Celtic, Hamburg and Scotland in his playing days, he has managed Reading, Leicester City, Wolves, Millwall, Brighton, Motherwell and Aberdeen.

Pros Has a reputation for bringing through young players as well as playing attractive football. Unlikely to suffer at the hands of the media as Burley did.

Cons Was overlooked after being interviewed the last time. Would he be taken seriously this time round and would he want to throw his hat into the ring?

Odds 12-1

George Graham

Age 64

Current position free agent

Experience An impressive performer for Arsenal, Manchester United and Scotland in his day and an excellent manager for Millwall, Arsenal – for nine years – Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur.

Pros Would demand respect from the players given his achievements in the game as a manager. Would not be daunted by the size of the task he faced. Is tactically astute, a good motivator and a proven training-ground manager.

Cons Has not been a manager for eight years, which could well be too long a time out to come back. Carries some baggage – albeit from some time ago – after being sacked by Arsenal and banned for a year for accepting a bung.

Odds 16-1