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The search for the new Scotland manager begins in earnest following the sacking of George Burley.

Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith is determined to find "the best possible replacement"

Speculation is already rife regarding the potential successor to a man who claimed only three wins in 14 attempts before the axe finally fell less than two years into his troubled tenure.

Dundee United manager Craig Levein has been installed as the early favourite by the bookies, with Kilmarnock's Jim Jefferies also in the frame.

Meanwhile, Walter Smith's uncertain future at Rangers - his contract expires in January - means a dramatic return to the international fold cannot be ruled out either, despite an acrimonious departure when he quit to return to Ibrox in January 2007.

Scotland's next match is the visit of the Czech Republic at Hampden on March 3, a time-frame Gordon Smith is confident will allow the SFA to recruit the right man for the job ahead of qualifying for the European Championship.

He said: "We now have four months until our next scheduled match, against the Czech Republic, and will therefore utilise the intervening period to ensure we attract the best possible replacement to take Scotland forward."

SFA president George Peat added: "The board will now enter into a period of private discussion to ensure the Scottish FA finds the best candidate ahead of the qualification campaign for Euro 2012."

Burley was given a stay of execution only two months ago when he convinced SFA office-bearers he was still the right man for the job despite his failure to steer Scotland to a play-off spot for next summer's World Cup finals.

But an embarrassing and demoralising 3-0 defeat by Wales - which saw the Scots trailing by three goals in the opening 35 minutes - on Saturday resulted in renewed speculation over his future, with travelling fans inside the Cardiff City Stadium demanding his dismissal.

"The decision was taken after a meeting with the board of directors and, subsequently, the national coach," said Smith.

"The board was in unanimous agreement.

"It should be stressed that the decision was not a direct consequence of Saturday's unacceptable 3-0 defeat to Wales but, rather, a realisation that the expectations of the supporters, the Scottish FA and George, himself, were not being met."

Jim Jefferies last night admitted he was "flattered" to be linked with the vacancy but refused to divulge whether he was interested in succeeding Burley.

Even before Burley was given the chop, Kilmarnock boss Jefferies was installed as one of the favourites to succeed him.

The 58-year-old former Falkirk and Hearts manager told Press Association Sport: "I've been linked before with the position.

"What I've said many a time when I get linked with a job, whether it's the Scotland job or any other job, I never comment on that.

"The day I'll comment on anything like that is the day I get asked, and then I'll be able to say yes or no."

He added: "I have been linked and (it is) very flattering."

George Burnley factfile

1956: Born June 3, in Cumnock, Ayrshire.

1972: Joins Ipswich as an apprentice.

1973: Makes senior debut against Manchester United at Old Trafford, and given the job of marking George Best.

1978: Member of the Ipswich side that upset the odds to defeat Arsenal 1-0 in FA Cup final.

1981: Injury forces him out of Ipswich's UEFA Cup final triumph over AZ Alkmaar. But Town miss out on First Division title on last day, finishing runners-up to Aston Villa and beaten by Manchester City in FA Cup semi-final.

1985: Joins Sunderland after making 500 appearances for Ipswich.

1988: Joins Gillingham.

1989: Joins Motherwell.

1990: Appointed player-manager of Ayr United.

1993: Moves to Falkirk as a player before returning to Motherwell as player-coach.

1994: June - Crosses border again to become player-manager of Colchester and makes promising start at Layer Road.

December - Returns to Ipswich four days after resigning at Colchester.

1999-2000: Ipswich miss out on automatic promotion on last day of season.

Defeat Bolton 5-3 on aggregate to finally make it to Wembley play-off final where they beat Barnsley 4-2.

2000-01: Finish fifth in Premier League to earn a place in the UEFA Cup - only missing out on a Champions League spot on the final day of the season. Named manager of the year by the League Managers' Association.

2001-02: Despite wins over Torpedo Moscow and Helsingborg, UEFA Cup adventure ends with a 4-1 defeat in the San Siro at the hands of Inter Milan.

Ipswich make a terrible start to the league campaign and relegation is confirmed on the final day of the season with a 5-0 loss at Liverpool.

2002: Ipswich win a place in the UEFA Cup through the Fair Play League but, after winning their first two Division One games, Town's league form slumps, with a 3-0 defeat at Grimsby a low point.

October 11 - With Ipswich 19th in the table, Burley is sacked.

October 30 - Turns down Stoke job and Tony Pulis is appointed instead.

2003: March 31 - Appointed as interim manager of Derby.

May 6 - Signs a two-year contract with the Rams.

2004: May - Derby escape relegation from Division One by a point.

2005: June 7 - Resigns as manager of Derby.

June 30 - Appointed head coach at Scottish Premier League club Hearts, who start the season with eight consecutive league wins.

October 21 - Lithuanian businessman Vladimir Romanov takes his shareholding in the club to 55%. Burley says: "It's great news. One of the reasons I came to Hearts was after going to Lithuania to speak to Mr Romanov."

October 22 - With Hearts three points clear of Celtic at the top of the table, Burley parts company with the club following a disagreement with Romanov.

December 22 - Southampton announce Burley will be their new head coach.

2007: May 15 - Leads Southampton to the Championship play-offs after finishing sixth. Saints go out on penalties to eventual play-off winners Derby.

2008: January 23 - The Scottish Football Association offer Burley the job of Scotland manager. Southampton agree to release Burley after settling on compensation with the SFA.

January 24 - Burley is unveiled as Scotland manager, stating: "My dream is to qualify for the World Cup."

March 26 - Encouraging start to Scotland reign sees Burley mastermind a 1-1 friendly draw with European Championship finalists Croatia at Hampden.

September 6 - Scotland suffer the worst possible start to their World Cup qualifying campaign, going down 1-0 in the heat of Macedonia.

September 9 - Burley records his first win in charge at the fifth attempt, Scotland getting their World Cup qualification bid back on track with a 2-1 victory in Iceland.

October 12 - Kris Boyd announces he will not play for Scotland again while Burley is in charge, having completed only 28 minutes of action under him. Burley calls a press conference 24 hours later in which he questions Boyd's commitment.

2009: April 1 - Drops captain Barry Ferguson and goalkeeper Allan McGregor for the World Cup qualifier with Iceland for a "breach of discipline" after both are involved in a drinking session at the team hotel following the 3-0 defeat in Holland. Scotland beat Iceland 2-1.

April 3 - Ferguson and McGregor are banned from ever representing Scotland again after being photographed appearing to flick V-signs while sat on the bench during the win over Iceland.

August 12 - Scotland are thrashed 4-0 in Norway to leave their World Cup qualifying hopes hanging by a thread.

September 9 - Scotland miss out on the play-offs after a 1-0 defeat by Holland at Hampden consigns them to third place in Group Nine.

September 15 - The SFA confirm Burley will remain as Scotland manager.

October 10 - After a host of withdrawals, Scotland slump to a 2-0 defeat in a friendly against Japan.

November 14 - Scotland fans turn on Burley and demand his dismissal after witnessing a 3-0 defeat in Wales.

November 16 - The SFA confirm they have parted company with Burley and the search begins for a new manager.