Kurt Herd is the only Scottish manager currently leading an international men's football team. The 34-year-old from Dundee was appointed permanently as manager of Dominica in August, taking charge of the Caribbean nation's Concacaf Nations League B campaign this autumn.
Scotland's own national team sits third in their World Cup qualifying group with three points from three games, following a 3-0 home defeat to Switzerland last week. Herd's unique position overseas comes into sharper focus as the domestic side prepares for its next qualifier away to FYR Macedonia on Friday.
Herd serves as Dominica's sole full-time staff member, acting as manager, analyst, scout, nutritionist and even yoga instructor. The squad is largely amateur, with most players competing in a domestic league Herd compares to Scotland's League Two. He has been on the island for two years, initially arriving to revitalise youth development pathways under a FIFA programme. "It's been the toughest but the greatest three or four weeks of my career so far," Herd said.
His recruitment process is unconventional, often scrolling social media for profiles featuring a Dominica flag. He has identified former Scotland youth goalkeeper Shamal George, now at Bromley, as a potential recruit. Current rules limit Dominica to six overseas players, though a change expected in January will allow the inclusion of players with Dominican grandparents.
Herd left Scotland aged 17 for a spell in Sweden and has since built a globetrotting coaching career. After graduating from Abertay University without a clear pathway into full-time football at home, he took charge of the university team at just 20, leading them to a first-ever league title. Stints followed in Australia, Spain, Kyrgyzstan and Malaysia, often working with FIFA youth sides.
These experiences brought him into contact with football figures like Arsène Wenger and former Portugal striker Nuno Gomes. He recalled a rainy day in Zurich where Wenger opted for a bottle of red wine instead of joining a five-a-side match. Coaching challenges have been varied, from monkeys running across pitches in Malaysia to cows wandering onto the field during sessions in Dominica.
Herd says he has "fallen in love" with Dominica and its people but his long-term ambition is to move into club coaching at the highest possible level. He wants to experience the daily pressure and grind of a club environment. For now, his focus is on raising standards with Dominica, implementing yoga, mindfulness and dietary advice while maintaining his own professional discipline by running every morning and avoiding alcohol.
He remains open to a return to Scottish football if the right opportunity arises, feeling his travels have made him a more complete coach. Scotland's next match is a key World Cup qualifier in Skopje, where they will look to improve on a recent run of one win, one draw and three defeats. Herd will be watching from afar, a singular figure flying the flag for Scottish management on the international stage.
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