Graeme Souness Tells SFA: He Knows the Perfect Man to Replace Clarke and He Is Convinced
Graeme Souness has delivered a definitive verdict to the Scottish Football Association on who should succeed Steve Clarke and he is in absolute no doubt that he has identified the right man for the job.
The Ibrox legend was brought in by Rangers to advise on their managerial search in 2023 after Michael Beale was sacked, and he has remained closely involved in recruitment conversations ever since. While the Rangers board ultimately chose Philippe Clement, Souness was adamant from the start that they had overlooked the better candidate and recent events have only strengthened his conviction .
Souness’s reasoning centres on one crucial factor: understanding the unique pressures of Scottish football. He has long argued that managing in the West of Scotland is unlike any other job in football a “goldfish bowl” environment that requires a specific kind of resilience and experience .
“No job in football management prepares you for the West of Scotland,” Souness previously explained. “It’s another type of challenge.”
This is precisely why, when the Scotland job became vacant following Clarke’s resignation after the 2026 World Cup group-stage exit, Souness knew exactly who the SFA should turn to. Clarke led the nation to three major tournaments during his seven-year tenure, but the squad’s ageing core with 12 of 26 players already in their thirties leaves a daunting challenge for his successor .
So who does Souness believe is the perfect fit?
The man Souness is convinced should take charge is Frank Lampard.
Souness was unequivocal in his backing, pointing to Lampard’s understanding of Scottish football’s intense environment something he believes gives the Chelsea legend a crucial edge over other candidates .
“The only advantage for me Frank has over Philippe is that he has some experience of the West of Scotland. His wife is from Northern Ireland so she will certainly know what it’s like,” Souness explained .
He also defended Lampard’s managerial record, arguing that difficult spells at Chelsea and Everton should not define him:
“Taking the Chelsea job when he did was always going to be very, very difficult. The Everton job is a basket case. Have they improved since Frank left? Not a bit. I wouldn’t be too critical of Frank. The thing that encouraged me is he wanted to do it. He doesn’t need the money. He wants to be a successful manager” .
Lampard’s Form Adds Weight to Souness’s Claim
Since taking charge of Coventry City in November 2024, Lampard has silenced his doubters. He led the Sky Blues to a club-record nine wins in ten games and transformed them from relegation battlers into promotion contenders. More recently, he guided Coventry to an unbeaten start to the 2025/26 season, sitting top of the Championship table .
That resurgence has only reinforced Souness’s belief that he was right all along.
Bookmakers have installed David Moyes as an early favourite, with Ange Postecoglou also heavily linked . However, Souness remains unmoved. For him, there is only one candidate who fits the bill and he has left the SFA in no doubt about his choice.
Whether the governing body listens to one of Scottish football’s most decorated figures remains to be seen. But Graeme Souness has made his position crystal clear: Frank Lampard is the perfect replacement for Steve Clarke.
