Scotland Women's Football Team

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

The Scottish FA are looking for a new head coach for the women's national side after sacking Pedro Martinez Losa.

It's hard to know how the governing body will play this. Will they be open to another foreign recruit or look closer to home? Finances could also come into play.

With this in mind, let's look some early runners and riders.

Leanne Ross: Probably the obvious choice. The current Glasgow City head coach won 133 caps and would command respect from the players.

The squad know her well as she was part of the coaching staff under Martinez Losa, although whether that helps or hinders her as a contender remains to be seen.

She has moved into full-time football coaching with ease and has plenty of drive and desire for success.

Mick McArdle: Currently the girl's and women's performance manager, part of his remit involves enabling a smooth transition into the full national squad.

So he knows what he's looking for in a player and has knowledge of what the national team need. He has worked in Scottish football for almost three decades with St Mirren, Falkirk and Ayr United and recently has been coaching the Scotland Under-19s and 23s.

Brian Graham: A relative rookie within women's football, but the Partick Thistle women's boss - who is also a striker with the men's team - has imprinted an identity on his part-time squad as they punch above their weight against sides with superior budgets.

Thistle's results under him speak volumes - two back-to-back top-six finishes and an appearance in a League Cup final.

Grant Scott: Is overseeing Hibernian's transition from a part-time to full time-club, and making a success of it. Having coached at a variety of Scottish clubs, Scott is full of experience and knowledge of the women's game in Scotland and beyond.

He's not afraid to give youth a chance, allowing his squad to play with a freedom. He's also seen a fair few of the players he's coached make it into the full national side.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Fewer than 48 hours ago, Caroline Weir said Pedro Martinez Losa still had the "respect" of the Scotland squad despite their failure to reach Euro 2025.

Speaking after Real Madrid's Champions League match with Celtic in Hamilton, the midfielder still thought the Spaniard had the confidence of the team.

He has now been relieved of his duties, but the players have not been freed from the hurt and disappointment suffered during his spell.

The 29-year-old admitted defeat to Finland "has hit hard" and she "found it hard to sleep for quite a few nights".

"I've probably found it one of the more difficult times in my career in terms of a result like that," Scotland vice-captain Weir said.

"I actually found it hard to sleep after for quite a few nights.

"It's hit a lot of players very hard, for me definitely, thinking, 'what more could I have done?' Thoughts you really don't want to have, but that's happened in the last week.

"I think it's probably too soon to say exactly where [Scotland go from here].

"We have to reflect, see where it was we fell short exactly. For me, it's still a little bit too soon to really go into the details, we have to let it settle a little bit."

Martinez Losa's future has been settled, though, and he leaves with the respect of his players.

"He's put a lot of trust in me recently especially and the players respect him for sure," Weir added on Tuesday.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Three-and-a-half years of failure have, finally, come to an end.

Pedro Martinez Losa's appointment came at a crucial time, when Scotland had just missed out a third consecutive major tournament appearance.

His remit was clear. Get the national team back to the top table. Instead, he leaves having suffered two play-off final defeats.

That in itself was poor enough, but with the talented squad he had at his disposal hitting their prime, it was inexcusable.

As was the way Scotland played at times. The Spaniard promised an attack-minded, possession-based style of play. Fleetingly during his spell did we see it.

The first leg of the recent Euro 2025 play-off final against Finland at Easter Road was flat and flimsy with imagination and intent strangers to the cause.

It left an uphill battle in Helsinki where, after being 2-0 down in just 28 minutes, Martinez Losa brought on defenders Lisa Evans and Emma Mukandi, both 32, as second-half substitutes.

As eyebrow-raising a decision that was, none were more shocking than the Scottish FA's decision to hand him a contract extension to 2027 last September.

It felt unmerited and unnecessary at the time, and for the last 10 days, it's looked ridiculous.

During his time in charge, he only oversaw one competitive win against a top-30 side - Austria in the 2023 World Cup semi-final play-off.

Martinez Losa was never short of critics or doubters as his squad grew in age and regressed in accomplishment.

As he departs, they - this golden generation who have arguably missed their golden hour - are right back to square one. Out of the major tournament conversation.

There will be plenty talk in the next few days as to who will succeed the Spaniard. It's an appointment the powers at be cannot afford to waste again.

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"Proud" Pedro Martinez Losa says he leaves with "fond memories" of his Scotland tenure.

The Spaniard, 48, has been sacked after three-and-a-half years in charge, having failed in two attempts to lead the women's national side to a major finals.

"I am immensely proud of the journey we have undertaken as a group and it has been a privilege to lead the Scotland women's national team," told the Scottish FA website.

"Watching young talent flourish alongside our experienced players has been a highlight of my time here.

"I leave with fond memories and gratitude to my squad, backroom staff, and the passionate supporters, who have been unwavering in their backing.

"Scotland will always hold a special place in my heart, and I wish the team every success in the future."

Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell thanked Martinez Losa for his efforts and noted the national side's promotion to Nations League A, but said "the primary objective was to qualify for a major tournament again".

Pedro Martinez Losa has been sacked as Scotland women head coach, with the Scottish FA board believing "change is required" after the failure to qualify for Euro 2025.

Play-off defeat by Finland left Scotland without a major tournament appearance in six years.

Martinez Losa took charge in July 2021 and oversaw Scotland's promotion to Nations League A, but could not secure World Cup or Euros qualification.

Have the Scottish FA made the right call in parting company with the Spaniard or should he have been given more time?

The recruitment process "will begin immediately" - so who would you like to see appointed?

Let us know your thoughts, external

We asked for your thoughts on Scotland's play-off defeat to Finland.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Margaret: These players do not deserve to be at the finals of any tournament. Sack the manager. Bring in some young players and go again for the next tournament.

Graham: Sad truth is they are simply not good enough, the so called star players did not perform and Finland over the two games deserved to win and they are bang average team so what does that say about Scotland?

Lisa: We have gone backwards under Pedro Martinez Losa, women's football has improved a lot and we haven't kept up. Tactics were questionable and unless we're against smaller teams, he cannot get the best out of the quality players. We didn't get any luck tonight but it's a much bigger problem than luck.

Gordon: Team let down badly by Caroline Weir in both games against Finland. Miles off the pace and deliveries were shocking. Reputation shouldn't guarantee anyone a place and Erin Cuthbert playing too deep. Manager should have a long hard look at himself.

Danny: Another very poor performance, with our so-called stars failing to turn up again. The truth is we have little quality in the team. At least we will now get rid of the manager, three years too late in my view. He is totally incapable of getting the best out of even average players.

Grant: Poor first leg, absolutely no aggression and a bit unlucky maybe, but tactically I didn't get it after going a goal down. To me the manager can't progress the team any further, change is needed.

Graham: Surely now it is the time for a change of coach. Finland are not an amazing team but they controlled this tie and qualified comfortably. They looked fitter and better drilled. Certain players "cannot miss" this tournament apparently. Well, they are missing it, and since the players can't be changed, it's the coach who needs to. We need fresh ideas.

Mary: Big names did not turn up. Same as their performance at Easter Road last week.

Former Scotland goalkeeper Gemma Fay says the national side do not have a "clear identity" under Pedro Martinez Losa.

The Scots failed to qualify for their third major tournament in a row following Tuesday night's 2-0 defeat by Finland in the Euro 2025 play-off.

"I'll be honest, I've been struggling to pinpoint what their identity is," Fay told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Scotland has always unashamedly built teams around our best players. When I was playing, we built it around Julie Fleeting. She was the star, she was the difference maker.

"Everybody talked about Kim Little in attack, she was actually our best defender. We played this transition game because that's what she was so good at.

"And then you come to this generation and it should be built around getting the ball to our midfield, allowing our wide players to get high and wide, bodies in the box to finish. And I think we've struggled to do that.

"We struggled to see the likes of Erin Cuthbert, Caroline Weir and Sam Kerr being that anchor there and if we don't get the ball there and they can't impact the game then we struggle.

"Yes, we won games in our qualification campaign but we didn't dominate games enough. So I do get a little confused when Martinez Losa speaks - he can't seem to find something to hang his hat on, and I think that's come across.

"I don't think we have evolved as much as we could and should have."

Captain Rachel Corsie and former midfielder Leanne Crichton give their reaction to the Euro 2025 play-off defeat by Finland.

Corsie tells us what the atmosphere was like in the changing room post-match and what the defeat means for her future as a Scotland player.

Give it a listen on the BBC's Behind the Goals podcast

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Caroline Weir says Scotland "gave everything" in their play-off final defeat to Finland in Helsinki.

The Scots, who failed to bring any advantage from the first leg, were caught our early by the home side who adapted to the freezing conditions seamlessly while Scotland stuttered to a 2-0 loss.

In Rachel Corsie's absence, Real Madrid midfielder Weir led Scotland out at the Bolt Arena, and said her side "couldn't have done much more".

It now leaves Scotland without a major tournament appearance in six years.

"I think we did everything, this game came down to a couple of moments that weren't in our favour," the 29-year-old told BBC Alba.

"The team couldn't have done much more. Unfortunately we've not done enough and it's a really tough one to take.

"It's really hard to digest at the moment, it wasn't our night. We've worked so hard in the last couple of years to be in this position and unfortunately we couldn't take that final step.

"The players have worked so hard but it wasn't enough."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Bolt Arena, Helsinki

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Pedro Martinez Losa said Scotland "must stick together" after their "regretful" failure to qualify for next summer's European Championships.

The Scots fell to a 2-0 defeat in Finland and will now watch a third major tournament in a row from home.

However, the Spaniard insisted the squad "deserved" to be there, though admitted they can "always do more".

"We started the game in difficult conditions," the head coach said. "After the goals I thought we dominated the opponent, created enough changes to score but football is like that. We had a shot that hit the post, a potential penalty but the girls fought until the end.

"This is an opportunity for the players to lead each other through a difficult moment.

"I don't know how you can teach the players to play on a frozen pitch. They are used to playing in these conditions, especially in the first minutes. It caused a couple of adjustments for us. You always can do more.

"There are regrets because we wanted to qualify, so the biggest regret is the outcome. We needed to win more games or get more goals than Finland and we didn't do it.

"I need to analyse the game and analyse myself, now though I will prepare the team in the same way.

"The immediate future, as we discussed in the dressing room, is to stick together. We wanted to enjoy the tournament together but it is also an opportunity for the players to inspire."

Scotland suffered play-off heartache again and failed to reach next summer’s Euro 2025 finals as they fell to defeat in a freezing Finland.

Pedro Martinez Losa’s side – who could only secure a 0-0 draw at Easter Road in the first leg - headed to Helsinki with the hope of qualifying for their first major tournament in six years, but started slow and were promptly punished.

Natalia Kuikka had the freedom of the Bolt Arena to line up a belting long-distance shot, before Nea Lehtola smacked her strike in off Sophie Howard’s face to deceive Eartha Cumings and send Finland on the way to the finals.

The opener had been brewing, but the second was a sucker-punch.

Did you make the trip out to Finland or were you following the match from home? Have your say on Scotland's performance., external

Scotland defender Sophie Howard insists Scotland "will go again" despite the disappointment of missing out on another national tournament.

After a goalless draw at Easter Road on Friday, Tuesday's second leg defeat to Finland denied the Scots from getting to their first major tournament since 2019.

"I think we're just really disappointed," Howard said of the Scots' failure to make their third tournament in a row.

"We wanted so much more and we didn't achieve it. As a team we feel like we gave it everything.

"I wouldn't say we let ourselves down because we're in this together, we're just massively disappointed.

"I feel like every single player on that pitch gave everything and I think we deserved to win with the way we played.

"I think it's important that you allow the emotions to be disappointed, it just shows how much it means to us.

"To think about how we can recover from this would be wrong, we're allowing the tears, and there have been many tears, but give it some time and we can look at how we can come back from this and lift each other up because that's what this group is about.

"The whole national team is ready to pick one another up and go again."

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Scotland boss Pedro Martinez Losa: It's frustrating and it's painful and it's going to be painful for a long time.

"I have the responsibility to show and appreciate the efforts of the staff. Life sometimes is not fair and these players have been fighting for a long time to inspire the nation and take the team to a major tournamnet. We feel we're on the borderline.

What I can control is my commitment to the players, all the decisions I don't control them. I prefer to stay right with myself and the work that has been done.

"What the future brings is not in my control. I signed a contract, I have a commitment to the staff and the players, there's no reason not to continue."

Image source, SNS

In a disappointing night for Scotland, Kirsty Hanson looked the most likely to make a difference. Every time she got the ball she looked to get forward and was unlucky not to find herself on the scoresheet, or at least to grab an assist.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

This was a re-run of a horror film.

Scotland have starred in this movie too many times, and while there was a bit of belief their recurring role was over, they ended up front and centre of it again.

For all the confidence, calmness and composure exuded in camp this week, such traits were not on show in Helsinki.

Nor were they in the Scottish capital on Friday.

For much of the 180 minutes the sides have played in the last few days, Scotland have been so far off it. As they were in play-off defeat against the Republic of Ireland two years ago.

The Scots did create chances for an hour or so here but, over the course of a mammoth two matches, that was nowhere near enough.

It was said on Friday that Scotland did not want to show everything they have, that they did not want to allow Finland a look at their hand.

It is an ambitious, and alarming, approach and one which will continue to leave many scratching their heads.

That has been a reaction in keeping with much of Martinez Losa’s spell. Whether it be his eyebrow-raising comments, the bland brand of football, or his selections, the head coach need not look far for doubters.

And they will make themselves known after this failure.

Star midfielder Caroline Weir had said it was “everything” to qualify for next summer’s Euros. If that was Scotland giving their all, they are a long way away from returning to the top table.