Betting has been suspended on the Scotland Next Manager market with Sebastien Pocognoli reportedly set to be named Steve Clarke's successor.
Departing as one of the nation's most successful managers, Clarke resigned following Scotland's early exit from the World Cup.
Scotland laboured to a 1-0 win against Haiti in their opening game at the 2026 World Cup, but subsequent defeats to Morocco and Brazil saw them catch an early flight home.
After several weeks attempting to identify a replacement, the SFA's protracted search is set to come to an end with Craig Mulholland and chief executive Ian Maxwell closing in on the appointment of Pocognoli.
Former Monaco head coach Pocognoli emerged as the new frontrunner late on Friday.
The ex-West Brom and Brighton defender had been backed from 25/1 into 7/4, displacing Clarke's former assistant Steven Naismith at the head of the betting before the market was suspended.
bet365's Steve Freeth said: "Pocognoli, who was linked with the Hearts job just a few months ago, emerged as the clear favourite to manage Scotland against Slovenia in late September following a substantial plunge in the market over the last 12 hours."
Pocognoli first ventured into management with Tony Bloom-owned Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and in his first season, the Belgian guided the club to their first league title in 90 years.
His success in Belgium resulted in Monaco headhunting him for their vacancy at the Stade Louis II, but Pocognoli lasted just eight months in the Principality as he was sacked at the start of June.
Naismith was a lead candidate for the Scotland vacancy for several weeks, while Roberto Martinez and current Everton boss David Moyes were also linked with the role.
