Steve Clarke steps down as Scotland boss after World Cup elimination confirmed | Football News

Steve Clarke has stepped down as Scotland head coach – moments after his side’s World Cup exit was confirmed.

Scotland’s fate was sealed on Saturday night following Ghana’s defeat to Croatia, and confirmation of Clarke’s resignation came within an hour of that.

The 62-year-old – who had been at the helm for seven years – was the first men’s head coach to lead the nation to three major finals.

Qualification for this summer’s World Cup was Scotland’s first since 1998. That had followed consecutive European Championships, and resulted in Clarke being rewarded with a new four-year deal just last month before the squad flew out to the USA.

However, with the national team failing to reach the knockout rounds at a tournament for the first time, the former Kilmarnock, Reading and West Brom boss stepped away from the job.

Clarke reveals ‘pride and satisfaction’

In an open letter to supporters, Clarke – who had managed a record 81 games – said: “When I was first approached by the Scottish FA about the position of head coach I was advised by many people to leave well alone as the job had become a poisoned chalice.

“In my head I was just the wee boy from Saltcoats who had done well in his chosen profession and my country wanted me to be their leader, at least in a football sense. I couldn’t find a reason to turn the approach down. My job remit was simple: qualify for a major tournament.

“As I reflect on my seven years in the job my overriding emotion is pride, closely followed by satisfaction.

“In time I will be able to reflect on a tumultuous seven years, but one element that has given me the greatest satisfaction is witnessing the reconnection of our national team and our fans. From my opening game against Cyprus in front a half-empty Hampden Park and a largely apathetic crowd to the frenzy of such unforgettable matches as our 2-0 defeat of Spain and that memorable night against Denmark.

“The were magical occasions; nights that will endure in Scottish football folklore. This reconnection was never more evident than during the past few weeks. From Miami to Boston and New Jersey our fans won the hearts and minds of the American public and football fans across the world.

“Let us not forget that the players won a World Cup finals match for only the fifth time in Scottish football history, and the first for 36 years. The team were responsible for giving everyone the chance to create memories that will last a lifetime and I am proud to have played a part in that.

“The most emotional part of this goodbye is for my players, without whom we wouldn’t have had any of the memories that we’ve accumulated from 2019 until now. From our captain Andy Robertson with 97 caps to those at the start of their journey with the national team, almost every player that has been called upon in my time as head coach has turned up and given everything for their country, hence a period of sustained improvement for our national team.

“I quite quickly realised that continuity and familiarity would help these players to bond with each other and my staff, leading them to understand what is needed to be more successful at international level. They deserve all the praise and adulation that they receive and it was truly an honour to be called their gaffer.

“Thanks for having me and good luck to my successor.”

How Scotland’s World Cup unfolded

Scotland kick-started their tournament with a 1-0 win over Haiti, their first victory at the World Cup since 1990, and topped the group momentarily after Brazil’s 1-1 draw with Morocco.

Clarke’s side had chances to add to their one-goal lead, which could have provided a vital boost in terms of their goal difference, but failed to score any further goals against Haiti, who are placed 83rd in the FIFA world rankings.

A 1-0 defeat to Morocco then followed, conceding the deciding goal after just 70 seconds, with penalty controversy at the forefront of the discussion after the game.

John McGinn and Scott McTominay both saw claims for spot-kicks waved away but even after the defeat, their chances of qualification for the knockouts sat at around 70 per cent.

But a 3-0 loss to Brazil in their final game of Group C was disastrous. It meant they finished third with their goal difference decimated.

Scotland had been left with an agonising wait to see if they had picked up enough points and achieved a sufficient goal difference to qualify as one of the tournament’s eight third-placed teams.

Their chances, however, decreased with every subsequent group game played, until their exit from the tournament was confirmed following Ghana’s 2-1 loss to Croatia, which meant it was no longer mathematically possible for them to finish as one of the top eight third-placed teams.

Did Scotland evolve under Clarke?

Despite being the first head coach to take Scotland to three major finals, the Tartan Army have at times been divided on how Clarke performed during his seven years in charge.

He took over in May 2019, and fast-forward around 18 months, Scotland had qualified for a first major finals since 1998.

The heroics of their dramatic win over Serbia in the Euros play-off were not to be repeated against Ukraine in 2022, as Scotland missed out on a spot at the Qatar World Cup.

However, his side bounced back and produced some big results – including a 2-0 win over Spain at Hampden – to seal a spot at Euro 2024.

That was before World Cup football returned for the first time in 28 years, as a dramatic qualifying campaign ended with a famous victory against Denmark. Who will ever forget Scott McTominay’s overhead kick or Kenny McLean from the halfway line?

However, it has been the performances at those major tournaments that has frustrated fans. There has been just one win, which was against Haiti over a fortnight ago.

Aside from a draw against England at Euro 2020 and then Switzerland four years later – Clarke’s side have lost every other match and like all Scotland teams before, never progressed past the group stages.

Those results lead to questions from fans over squad selection.

Some feel he has got it wrong, others recognise that he hoped continuity would lead to success. Loyalty has always been key to Clarke.

The truth is, he has remained loyal, but he has evolved the squad.

Of those included in his first pool of players, just six were in his group that went to the USA for the World Cup.

From the starters against Cyprus in May 2019, Andy Robertson, John McGinn, Kenny McLean and Scott McKenna remain and also started Clarke’s last game against Brazil.

Scott McTominay came on as a substitute seven years ago and became key to Scotland’s success in recent years too. John Souttar was the other to make that 2019 squad and go to the USA.

Over the past seven years, Clarke gave debuts to 15 of his squad that went to the World Cup.

Only Craig Gordon, Grant Hanley, Jack Hendry, McKenna, Robertson, Souttar, Kieran Tierney, Ryan Christie, McGinn, McLean and McTominay had featured for Scotland prior to Clarke’s arrival.

As well as giving debuts to the likes of Angus Gunn, Dom Hyam, Nathan Patterson, Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes and Lawrence Shankland, Clarke has always been looking to the future.

Under him, Ben Gannon-Doak, Findlay Curtis, Tyler Fletcher, Billy Gilmour and Lennon Miller have all been given their first caps and will be key for the national team going forward.

The truth is, change has never been revolution but it has been evolution. Seven years on, Scotland are in a better place than they were before Clarke arrived. There may have been frustration on the biggest stage at major finals, but he has Scotland fans dreaming again and believing in a squad of players that can deliver history in the future.

‘Scotland underwhelmed under Clarke at major finals’

Sky Sports News reporter Luke Shanley:

“The World Cup ultimately was a disappointment for Scotland. For the 13th time at a major tournament, they were out at the group stage – a big frustration for Scotland, certainly in terms of the manner in which it happened as well.

“Yes, they got off to a good start with a win over Haiti. Ultimately, it wasn’t enough. Losing to Morocco, conceding early in that game and then individual errors against Brazil also didn’t help Scotland’s cause in a 3-0 defeat.

“It just wasn’t enough in the end to get through as one of the best third-place teams, and the Scotland head coach is gone. He had just signed a new four-year deal before the tournament started.

“The big question is who will come next for the Nations League campaign, where Scotland have Slovenia, North Macedonia and Switzerland in the group. Of course then it’s all about qualifying for Euro 2028, which Scotland will co-host.

“Four of the players who started with Steve Clarke in May 2019, started against Brazil – Scott McKenna, Andy Robertson, Kenny McLean and John McGinn. It’s been a long journey.

“He’s the most capped Scotland manager and you could argue one of the most successful – the only Scotland head coach to take the team to three major tournaments, but only one win from those nine games. They’ve underwhelmed.

“The Tartan army have certainly been delighted by being able to go to major tournaments, but it’s not worked out in the end.

“He will be remembered as the Scotland manager who got Scotland back to major tournaments in Euro 2020, Euro 2024 and the World Cup in 2026. A lot of great moments in terms of qualifying, but ultimately not here at the tournament.”

What’s next for Scotland?

Whoever replaces Clarke will find themselves in action in around three months, when attention turns to their Nations League campaign.

The first tie is away to Slovenia on September 26, with six group games played in a short three-month window, concluding with a trip to take on Switzerland on November 16.

Scotland were demoted from League A after a play-off defeat by Greece last year and return to the second tier for this year’s competition.

The new boss will then hope to lead Scotland to the UK and Ireland co-hosted Euros in 2028, and then the World Cup in four years.