BBC Sport lists the main contenders for the Scotland job and the early odds from the bookies. GARY McALLISTER
Gary McAllister made his club debut for his home-town side Motherwell in 1981, before moving through Leicester, Leeds, Coventry and Liverpool as a deft midfielder. He was capped 57 times for his country but his international career ended in 1999 after being consistently booed by the Tartan Army for missing a crucial penalty against England during Euro 96. The 42-year-old went on to manage Coventry, but left in 2004 to care for his wife Denise, who lost her battle with cancer in 2006. A clear candidate for success this time, it is thought that McLeish narrowly beat McAllister to the role of Scotland manager in January. Bookmakers say : 2/1 BILLY DAVIES
Billy Davies , 43, left Derby on Monday and has already stated his interest in managing Scotland. He told BBC Sport: "I'm very open to listen to anything that is offered or put on the table. I'm not ruling anything out. If somebody wants to talk to me I will listen and then make a decision." Davies began his managerial career at Motherwell in 1998, and was assistant to Craig Brown at Preston before succeeding him as manager. He took Derby to the Premier League last season but left the club bottom of the table, with just six points from 14 games. Bookmakers say : 3/1 CRAIG LEVEIN
Dundee United's Craig Levein has enjoyed a bright start to the season, credited with improving performance and stability in the team. He has gone some way to restoring his personal reputation after being sacked by Leicester City after 15 months in 2006. Capped 16 times himself as a player, Levein may be seen as the man who can build on the success already started by McLeish with the Scottish squad. Bookmakers say : 5/1 TOMMY BURNS
Tommy Burns was vocal about his "disappointment" at not being contacted by the SFA when Walter Smith left the post earlier this year. He was brought in as assistant Scotland manager by Berti Vogt, and remained as a number two to Smith during his tenure but left when Alex McLeish took charge. Burns is Celtic's first-team coach and youth development chief. Bookmakers say : 12/1 GRAEME SOUNESS
Graeme Souness made his name as a manager in Scotland when he transformed Rangers in 1986 but had mixed success since leaving for Liverpool. Had short spells at Southampton, Torino, Benfica and Galatasaray before taking Blackburn back into the Premiership. Has been out of work since ending a disappointing spell at Newcastle and, with 54 Scotland caps, may fancy leading the national team. Bookmakers say : 8/1 KENNY DALGLISH
Kenny Dalglish won a record 101 caps for his country and netted 30 goals, but his stock fell when his dream return to Celtic with John Barnes turned into a nightmare. Won titles as Liverpool and Blackburn boss but quit both jobs. He then led Newcastle to a second-placed finish before their form took a nosedive. The international job could suit Dalglish, but he may be reluctant to endanger his legendary status among the Tartan Army. Bookmakers say : 20/1 ROY AITKEN
McLeish's assistant with the national side, Roy Aitken might fancy stepping up and taking over the top job, although he may prefer life as a behind the scenes man. Capped 57 times for Scotland, Aitken was sacked in 1997 after two years in charge of Aberdeen. That was followed by spells as David O'Leary's number two at Leeds United and Aston Villa. Bookmakers say : 12/1 JOE JORDAN
Currently the first-team coach at Portsmouth, Joe Jordan enjoyed an excellent international playing career, featuring in three consecutive World Cups in 1974, 1978 and 1982, scoring in each tournament. He has had spells in charge of Bristol City (twice), Stoke City and Hearts. When speculation swirled around him in January with the departure of Walter Smith, Jordan said he was "flattered" to be considered for the role which eventually went to McLeish. Bookmakers say : 16/1
Source: BBC Sport
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