Sunderland manager David Moyes is the leading candidate to take charge of Scotland if Gordon Strachan pays the price for the nation's unconvincing start to their 2018 World Cup qualification campaign, with sources telling ESPN FC that the former Everton and Manchester United manager would be open to discussions about managing his country.

Scotland currently lie second bottom in UEFA Group F after taking just four points from their opening four qualifiers -- their only victory being a 5-1 rout of minnows Malta in September.

And the pressure on Strachan has intensified in the wake of last Friday's 3-0 defeat against England at Wembley, which was Scotland's heaviest defeat against their neighbours in over 40 years.

Strachan has flown to Portugal for a break as uncertainty grows over his position and sources have told ESPN FC that Moyes has well-placed admirers within the Scottish Football Association (SFA).

Moyes has endured a difficult start at Sunderland, having signed a four-year contract as Sam Allardyce's successor in July, with club failing to win in the Premier League until the 2-1 victory at Bournemouth prior to the international break.

But despite the problems he has been faced with at the club, and his dismissals from previous jobs at United and Real Sociedad, his reputation remains high in Scotland.

Moyes has been a passionate supporter of the SFA's coaching educational programme at Largs -- a support which has won him friends within the organisation -- and he is regarded as a manager who would embrace the role of developing Scottish football at all levels.

A decision on Strachan's future is expected within the next month, with the SFA determined to have stability ahead of the next qualification fixture against Slovenia at Hampden Park in March.