Football: Former Bolton boss Owen Coyle said today that he would be open to an approach from the Scottish Football Association over the vacant national team manager’s job.
Coyle is one of a number of candidates in the frame for the position that was made vacant by the sacking of Craig Levein on November 5.
The Paisley-born former striker has been out of work since leaving Bolton last month after nearly three years at the club.
He said: “There is no doubt that the Scotland job is a terrific job for the right candidate.
“If they (the SFA) felt that I was one of those candidates and they wanted to speak, then, of course, I’m quite happy to listen and see what people think — how they want to progress and what they think of yourself and what you can bring to that job.
“I’ve worked as hard as a manager as I did as a player and maximised everything I had. Whatever I enter into, I go in giving everything I’ve got.
“If people felt you were worth speaking to about their club or national job or whatever it is, then I would be flattered if that came to be.”
Gordon Strachan remains the bookmakers’ favourite to fill the role.
Coyle added: “What I would say and I’ve got to give balance to it is that I think Scotland are very fortunate that they do have many outstanding candidates capable, I think, of ultimately qualifying for major competitions.”
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi is in contention for a fourth successive Fifa Ballon d’Or crown after being named on a three-man shortlist today alongside Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona team-mate Andres Iniesta.
Messi has enjoyed an incredible year and stands on the brink of another milestone.
His 82 goals in 2012 mean he is just three shy of former West Germany and Bayern Munich striker Gerd Muller’s record of 85, set in 1972.
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