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American World Cup coach Bruce Arena is in the frame to be the next Scotland boss.

Arena, 67, led the United States to the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup and has made his interest in

succeeding Alex McLeish known to the SFA.

And it’s understood that the depth of his CV makes him one of the few overseas applications the SFA board will seriously consider as they assemble their shortlist.

Arena – a five-time MLS Cup winner – took his underdog USA side to fourth in the FIFA rankings in 2002 on the back of their showing in Japan and South Korea. He also led them to the 2006 finals in Germany.

Their disappointing exit after finishing bottom of their group that year – despite a draw with

eventual winners Italy – saw him axed.

(Image: Reuters)

He then went on to have a successful domestic career as boss of LA Galaxy, winning three of his five MLS titles with the west coast giants.

He was called back into national service in 2016 in a bid to salvage what turned out to be a doomed qualifying campaign which had been left in tatters by Jurgen Klinsmann.

Despite having never managed outside the States, Arena’s emergence has intrigued Hampden chief executive Ian Maxwell enough to consider the American along with his list of domestic candidates who are already under the microscope.

Former Swansea boss Francesco Guidolin has also thrown his hat in the ring for the job.

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

The experienced Italian, 63, kept the Swans in England’s top flight in 2016 but lost his job that October.

He has been out of work since but said: “I’ve had a lot of offers but I am waiting for the right job.

“I’d like to take charge of a national team. Maybe Scotland will ask me.”

MailSport believes Maxwell will complete his due diligence on candidates within the next week.

The board will then decide if the right man can be put in place instantly – with the squad for the Euro 2020 double header against Cyprus and Belgium due to be named in four weeks – or if an interim option has to be considered.

MailSport also believes that Aberdeen’s Derek McInnes is under serious consideration, despite the cost of freeing him from his Pittodrie contract and the size of a salary boosted by his decision to stay at the club despite offers from Sunderland and Rangers.