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SFA rejects Gers' Smith approach | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The Scottish Football Association has rejected Rangers' approach for Scotland coach Walter Smith. | The Scottish Football Association has rejected Rangers' approach for Scotland coach Walter Smith. |
Smith and Ally McCoist have been tipped to take over at Ibrox following the departure of Paul Le Guen. | Smith and Ally McCoist have been tipped to take over at Ibrox following the departure of Paul Le Guen. |
However, after holding talks with Smith at Hampden on Monday, the SFA rebuffed Rangers' move and refused Smith's request to be relieved of his duties. | However, after holding talks with Smith at Hampden on Monday, the SFA rebuffed Rangers' move and refused Smith's request to be relieved of his duties. |
Smith is contracted until the summer of 2008 and SFA chief executive David Taylor said he wanted him to stay. | Smith is contracted until the summer of 2008 and SFA chief executive David Taylor said he wanted him to stay. |
Media Conference: SFA chief executive David Taylor | Media Conference: SFA chief executive David Taylor |
Taylor said Rangers enquired about Smith's availability at the weekend. | Taylor said Rangers enquired about Smith's availability at the weekend. |
Speaking after talks at Hampden, Taylor said: "Following contact from Rangers football club, we held a meeting this morning with Walter Smith. | Speaking after talks at Hampden, Taylor said: "Following contact from Rangers football club, we held a meeting this morning with Walter Smith. |
Walter Smith asked to be relieved of his contract as national team manager for Scotland SFA chief executiveDavid Taylor | Walter Smith asked to be relieved of his contract as national team manager for Scotland SFA chief executiveDavid Taylor |
"At this meeting Walter Smith asked to be relieved of his contract as national team manager for Scotland. | "At this meeting Walter Smith asked to be relieved of his contract as national team manager for Scotland. |
"This request has been refused and Rangers have been advised accordingly." | "This request has been refused and Rangers have been advised accordingly." |
Taylor said Smith "understands" the stance taken by the SFA, adding: "He is under contract with the SFA and we have made our position clear. | |
"There is no action to be taken by the SFA, it is a matter for Walter orRangers." | |
If Smith does take over it would be his second spell at Ibrox, after helping Rangers win nine successive titles before resigning in 1998 and moving to Everton. | If Smith does take over it would be his second spell at Ibrox, after helping Rangers win nine successive titles before resigning in 1998 and moving to Everton. |
Both Smith and McCoist have played a pivotal role in Scotland's stunning start to their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. | Both Smith and McCoist have played a pivotal role in Scotland's stunning start to their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. |
Scotland are the surprise Group B leaders in the Euro 2008 qualifying phase, ahead of world champions Italy and World Cup runners-up France. | Scotland are the surprise Group B leaders in the Euro 2008 qualifying phase, ahead of world champions Italy and World Cup runners-up France. |
It has been suggested that Smith will fill a dual role and continue as Scotland manager until the end of the present European Championship campaign. | It has been suggested that Smith will fill a dual role and continue as Scotland manager until the end of the present European Championship campaign. |
"It would be a major disruption to lose Walter and I would be disappointed if it does happen," added Taylor, who revealed that McCoist does not have a contract with the SFA. | "It would be a major disruption to lose Walter and I would be disappointed if it does happen," added Taylor, who revealed that McCoist does not have a contract with the SFA. |
606 MYSPORT: DEBATE Fans who think that Smith and McCoist will wave a magic wand and bring back the glory years are deluded IRN 606: Have your say | 606 MYSPORT: DEBATE Fans who think that Smith and McCoist will wave a magic wand and bring back the glory years are deluded IRN 606: Have your say |
"Walter is the Scotland team manager, and I hope it stays that way," said Taylor. | "Walter is the Scotland team manager, and I hope it stays that way," said Taylor. |
"He's got a contract for another 18 months and that's the issue here." | "He's got a contract for another 18 months and that's the issue here." |
Sheffield United assistant manager Stuart McCall could also be part of the new management team that may see McCoist and McCall take the reigns in the long-term. | Sheffield United assistant manager Stuart McCall could also be part of the new management team that may see McCoist and McCall take the reigns in the long-term. |
But, while McCall told BBC Sport he would "crawl over broken glass" to return to Rangers, he also added that "I don't think it will happen". | But, while McCall told BBC Sport he would "crawl over broken glass" to return to Rangers, he also added that "I don't think it will happen". |
Ian Durrant took charge of the first team for Sunday's Scottish Cup third round defeat at Dunfermline Athletic. | Ian Durrant took charge of the first team for Sunday's Scottish Cup third round defeat at Dunfermline Athletic. |
"If it does happen that Walter comes I will be delighted," said reserve coach Durrant. | "If it does happen that Walter comes I will be delighted," said reserve coach Durrant. |