Former Gor Mahia Coach Throws Hat into Scotland Job Race
Former Gor Mahia head coach Bobby Williamson has declared his interest in becoming Scotland’s next national team manager.
The 64-year-old, who guided Gor Mahia to the Kenyan Premier League title and also coached the Uganda and Kenya national teams, believes his extensive managerial experience makes him a strong candidate to succeed Steve Clarke despite having been away from frontline management for a decade.
Williamson acknowledged that his appointment may not immediately excite Scotland supporters but insisted his proposed coaching team, blending experienced leadership with former international stars, could offer the Scottish Football Association a fresh direction as it prepares for a new era.
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Former Gor Mahia coach outlines bold Scotland vision
“I tried to get through to [Scottish FA chief executive] Ian Maxwell and the president, but it’s not happened and I’ve obviously got someone else working on that to see if it is worth pursuing,” he said in an interview with BBC.
“I am not going to excite the Tartan Army, I know that for a fact, but maybe with these future international coaches getting a go at it, that might excite them because of what they achieved with Scotland and their club sides.”
Speaking from his home in Nairobi, Williamson revealed that news of Steve Clarke’s departure prompted him to assess whether he still had something to offer Scottish football.
The former Rangers striker believes his coaching résumé compares favourably with other candidates reportedly being linked to the vacancy, pointing to his success in both club and international football.
Williamson’s coaching career has taken him across Europe and Africa, where he has managed national teams and clubs under intense pressure. His experience in East Africa, particularly in Kenya and Uganda, remains one of the defining chapters of his managerial journey.
He served as Harambee Stars head coach before later taking charge of Gor Mahia, where he guided the record Kenyan champions to the league title, cementing his place among the club’s successful foreign coaches.
The Scot also enjoyed success with Uganda, leading the Cranes to the 2011 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup while helping build one of the region’s most competitive national teams.
“I’ve been out of the game for a while, but I was looking at the newspaper reports about who’s favourite to get the job and I thought my CV stacks up very well.
“I’ve managed two national teams here in Africa. In Uganda, we were getting 60,000 every home game – very passionate fans – and I handled that pressure okay.
“I know the passion of the Scottish fans well and they don’t want to be let down and I thought ‘could I give it a go?’.”
Williamson believes those experiences have equipped him to deal with the expectations that come with leading Scotland, arguing that the passion of football supporters in East Africa prepared him for high-pressure environments similar to those back home.
Gor Mahia title-winning coach proposes experienced backroom team
The former Hibernian and Kilmarnock manager said his first move after deciding to pursue the Scotland role was to contact former Rangers teammate Ally McCoist, who immediately backed the idea.
“So my first text message was to Alistair McCoist and I said I am thinking about doing this and he said ‘I’m in’.
“So I started thinking ‘who else?’ and I’m thinking long term for Scotland’s benefit – bring in some younger coaches so they get the international experience.”
Williamson said he then identified former Scotland internationals Scott Brown and Kevin Thomson as ideal additions to the coaching staff because of their extensive playing experience and leadership qualities.
The former Gor Mahia tactician believes involving younger coaches alongside experienced figures would not only strengthen the current national team setup but also create a succession plan for Scottish football.
“Both of these guys – Scott Brown and Kevin Thomson – have played numerous games for Scotland, they have played at the top level.
“They certainly have that knowledge, but they have not really experienced the coaching side of the game at that level and I thought, if I could help these guys, it would give Scotland options down the line and maybe some continuity.”
Williamson’s managerial achievements span nearly three decades. He famously guided Kilmarnock to Scottish Cup glory in 1997 before leading Plymouth Argyle to promotion into the English Championship.
His successful spell at Gor Mahia remains one of the highlights of his time in Kenyan football, with the veteran coach earning praise for instilling discipline, tactical organisation and a winning mentality within the squad.
Although Williamson has not managed professionally for the past 10 years, he remains convinced that his experience, combined with the proposed blend of youthful and seasoned coaches, would offer Scotland a competitive and sustainable coaching structure.
He admitted, however, that securing the role will not be straightforward, acknowledging that the Scottish Football Association is likely to have already drawn up a shortlist of preferred candidates.
“It is a big if.
“They probably have wheels in motion and have identified candidates anyway.”
Despite the uncertainty, Williamson believes his willingness to step forward reflects both his confidence in his coaching credentials and his enduring passion for Scottish football.
Whether or not the Scottish Football Association considers his application, Williamson’s proposal has reignited discussion about experienced managers returning to international football and the value of blending veteran leadership with the next generation of coaches.
His achievements in Kenya, Uganda and Scotland continue to form the foundation of a managerial career that he believes still has another chapter to write.
