The SFA have announced that Danny Lennon will take charge of the Scotland Under-21 squad for their friendly in Hungary next month.
The former St Mirren and Cowdenbeath manager, who has undertaken his UEFA Pro Licence with the SFA, will start work on Wednesday and has agreed to work in a short-term capacity pending the recruitment of a new Performance Director. The SFA aims to conclude this process – in conjunction with an expert panel including Scotland national coach Gordon Strachan and former national coaches Walter Smith and Andy Roxburgh - before the end of the month. Ricky Sbragia, who oversaw the squad for their friendly against Switzerland in November, will resume his responsibilities as under-19 coach as they prepare for their UEFA European Under-19 Championship elite round at the end of March.
Lennon started his managerial career at Cowdenbeath and led them to two successive promotions in 2009 and 2010. He was appointed St Mirren manager in June 2010 and helped them to their first-ever Scottish League Cup win in 2013. He said: "I am proud to have been given this opportunity to look after the under-21 squad for their match against Hungary. I am also looking forward to working with some of the brightest young Scottish footballers. I greatly appreciate the recognition this offer brings from the Scottish FA and allows me an opportunity to add this exciting new challenge to my established club experience."
SFA Chief Executive Stewart Regan said: "I am pleased Danny has agreed to take charge of the team for the upcoming under-21 match before a longer-term appointment can be made. Danny is a highly regarded coach and has worked at a very good level. I am confident he will look after the squad as they continue their preparations for the European qualifying matches which begin later this year. The Scottish FA is firmly focussed on appointing a new Performance Director and we hope to be in a position to make an announcement in the near future."