Wycombe candidate Scott tips Dowie for the job

Keith Scott has revealed he would jump at the chance to manage Wycombe Wanderers, but believes Iain Dowie will be named as Peter Taylor's successor.

The Windsor & Eton FC manager is one of the favourites for the vacant job at Adams Park following Taylor's departure on Friday. Some bookmakers have Scott priced at 9-1 to become the new Wanderers boss behind the likes of Steve Coppell, Lawrie Sanchez and Kevin Keen.

However, former Chairboys striker Scott says he is flattered to be one of the front runners but has not received a phone call from Wycombe owner Steve Hayes.

"I hear I'm third favourite at 9-1," he said. "I've had no phone calls whatsoever, but obviously I'm delighted I've been linked with the job because when Peter (Taylor) got the job I wasn't really linked with the vacancy but this time around there’s been quite a lot of talk that maybe I should be given the opportunity.

"But I've had no phone calls from the club. If they did ring I'd be delighted to do it, but - and this is a big but - I think they've got someone lined up. 

He added: "If I was a betting man I wouldn't put any money on me! I wouldn't be surprised if it was an Iain Dowie type character."

Scott, whose playing career took him to the Premiership with Swindon Town and included spells at Norwich City, Reading, Stoke City, Lincoln and Watford (loan), believes Coppell would be an unlikely choice as manager.
 
Instead he believes that Hayes and the Wycombe board will choose someone with knowledge of the lower leagues who can stay at the helm of the club long-term to provide stability and growth.

"The only thing with Steve Coppell - and this isn't being derogatory to Wycombe - is does Steve Coppell need a job at Wycombe Wanderers? I don't think so.

"Lawrie Sanchez? If he got offered the job he might take it, but then Lawrie's been there and although he got them to the semi-final he got the club relegated. Would the fans see that as a good signing for the football club?

"Kevin Keen? That wouldn't surprise me. He's a local lad - Chalfont St Peter. I know him very well. Obviously he's served his apprenticeship at West Ham.

"But all the things I'm hearing is the person who will come in will be someone who has got a knowledge of the lower leagues and the more I hear - and I may be a million miles off base here - but it wouldn't surprise me if Iain Dowie was the next manager."

To even be mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Coppell, Sanchez and Dowie has really flattered Scott. The former Leighton Town boss believes it is a sign that since arriving at Stag Meadow he has done the right things both on and off the pitch.

"I can honestly say it's an honour to have been linked because it proves you're doing something right and people appreciate what you do," he said.

"I want to manage full-time. I believe I can do that job. I would have every confidence if I went into a League 1 or League 2 or Blue Square Premier job because when Martin O'Neill got the job at Leicester from Wycombe I said to him what's the difference between managing Wycombe and Leicester? He said no difference whatsoever apart from you're dealing with players with more money and bigger egos.

"I believe I could go into a professional football club and do a job, but whether that happens only time will tell.”

He continued: "People may question my ability, but I look back to when I played and people said I wasn't good enough to be a professional footballer, but I played for 16 years at all different levels. I back my ability and I don't try and overcomplicate anything do."

Scott, whose goal scoring exploits fired Wycombe into the Football League and resulted in Swindon paying £300,000 for his services, holds the club close to his heart. Whoever gets the job at Adams Park, Scott hopes they can provide stability for the club going forward.

"One thing Wycombe haven't had over the last four years is stability as a manager," he explained. "I think whoever comes in at Wycombe there has to be stability at that club.

"Anyway, I would imagine I'll be at AFC Hayes with Windsor on Tuesday!"