Exclusive:Next Scotland manager: Former favourite to succeed Steve Clarke no longer in running

The Scotsman understands that the former Portugal manager, who is reported to be in discussions with the Dutch FA about taking over the Netherlands national team, sees his future elsewhere despite initial willingness to be considered.

Salary expectations appear to be one stumbling block as the Scottish Football Association, whose new Chief Football Officer Craig Mulholland is leading the recruitment process, identify candidates.

The question of who will be the next manager of Scotland remains shrouded in doubt although Steven Naismith, Clarke’s most recent assistant, is currently the favourite with bookmakers. He has been heavily touted to lead Scotland into their Nations League campaign, which begins as soon as the end of next month, although the reaction to his potential appointment has been mixed.

Similarly not everyone was on board with the idea of Martinez being given the job, despite the Spaniard’s international pedigree. Martinez, who is married to a Scot and once played for Motherwell, won the Nations League title with Portugal as recently as last summer but is felt in some quarters to have fallen short with a talented squad at this summer’s World Cup. Portugal, with Ronaldo very much still in stir, were knocked out at the last 16 stage after drawing two of their opening round matches. Martinez also led Belgium to third place at the 2018 World Cup in Russia but failed to progress past the group stage in Qatar four years later.

The Scottish Football Association remain confident of unveiling a new permanent manager before the first post-World Cup squad is named in the middle of next month. Other reported contenders include Rafa Benitez and David Moyes, who will watch his current club play Everton in a friendly at Edinburgh's Murrayfield stadium on Wednesday evening.