The Scottish Football Association face a new threat — from West Brom — in the quest to secure Michael O'Neill as national team manager.
Tony Pulis' job at The Hawthorns hung in the balance last night following a 4-0 home hammering by champions Chelsea that left Albion just one point above the relegation zone.
It is understood the English Premier League strugglers are keen on the Northern Ireland boss to take over if Pulis is sacked in the next few days, with West Brom fans last night calling for the Welshman to be fired.
And with O'Neill keen to try his luck at the top level of the English game, Scotland's No 1 target to replace Gordon Strachan could be tempted to move to the Midlands.
The SFA are set to open talks with the 48-year-old in the next few days after permission was granted by their Northern Irish counterparts.
O'Neill's disinterest in talking with struggling Sunderland had left the coast clear for SFA chief executive Stewart Regan to close in on the man he hopes can take Scotland to a first major tournament since the 1998 World Cup Finals.
However, O'Neill would welcome the chance to chat with West Brom, where three of his top players are based — Gareth McAuley, Chris Brunt and captain Jonny Evans.
The wages on offer at the English club — around £2million per year — would dwarf the salary available in Scotland or those on the table in the improved terms of an Irish FA deal.
Written into O'Neill's current contract is a clause which states Premier League clubs must pay £750,000 compensation — but that would present no problem to West Brom, who have sunk into a relegation battle in alarming fashion, accruing only four points from their last ten games.
Pulis admitted in the build-up to Saturday's match that he would not be surprised if he lost the job he has had since January 2015.
The trigger payment for the SFA would be around £500,000 if O'Neill opts to switch national team jobs to the country where he and his family reside.
osakalim
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TBF The Premier League is getting tougher and tougher - There's no guarantee he'd get the Baggies out of trouble and he may be far better off taking the less well paid job with Scotland.
sheratonen
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I would stick with Northern Ireland myself, Scotland doesn¿t have any better players than NI and each year they would be roughly fighting for the runners up slot or best placed teams in the Works Cup or Euro¿s qualifiers.
Perkings
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WBA are better off with Pulis, long term.
languidc
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National representation at any level should only feature those of that nation.
SilvaMAN
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For our sake, this is probably the best appointment. For him; What are you doing man? You can do better than us!
goola
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I hope we can poach him
knackered
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I thought he turned Scotland down the other day
actually
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Come on Michael
jJustin
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He turned Sunderland down.
fangchang
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They will pay him more.
courtlow
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I am a Scot , but i dont see the point in this for MO ? someone says it must just be about money ?..........i cant see that as i doubt if there will be much in it .......... but damned if i see the Logic . He could always go for the England job , but probably doesnt want to manage a team of f oreig ners .
twilight
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Michael has worked wonders with our National Team. He has probably taken us as far as he can. He lives in Edinburgh so the Scotland job seems an obvious job. Good luck fella
happen
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Leave Northern Ireland for Scotland? It must be about the money because Northern Ireland actually are capable of going to tournaments. Scotland not so much. I would rather he stay at Northern Ireland and try and get them to the next euro. It makes no sense, it must be just about the money.
biscuit
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Don't leave us Micheal NI still needs you. Let's get back to the next Euro's together. Continue to build on the great team you have. Scotland or nearly anyone else will give you just a few games to sort the team out then comes the criticism and the sacking if things don't work out.
akazoori
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Scotland have an excellent group of young exciting players now, the old guard have been binned, so it would be a great opportunity for O'Neill. Not for me - I want a Scot as manager, not anyone else. Been there, done that.
posilios
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Would have thought he'd like a crack at club management again......he isn't premiership class yet....but would do a good job at a championship club with money/ambitions except Blunderland
hundred
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Would love him to stay- just can't see how Scotland (bar the pay) is a step up- seems backwards to me
masaboot
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Why would you Scotland are dirt try get a club job get a big pay day and retire
Guevara03
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So he leaves for the Scotland job, and Coleman leaves for the Mackem job. Has it been the annual Managers night on the drink?
Oraclea
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Would love to get him for the Scotland job. He’s did brilliant with N.Ireland all things considering.
yummyy
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That would be a really positive appointment.
mountains
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He should be offered the Everton Role
Lidroid
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He must be as daft as Chris Coleman!!
unisance
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What's the difference between N Ireland and Scotland ?
masaboot
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Great appointment if we can pll it off
cityon
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The clamour from the ScottishFA for this guy reeks of amateurish desperation to have a manager they can dictate too
MRCOOL
2
Lets see what will haopen and who will win