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Scotland national team coaching change

Updated 1 time since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-19 21:02 UTC → 2026-09-09 20:36 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The Scottish Football Association (SFA) appointed Belgian coach Sebastien Pocognoli as the new head coach of the Scotland men’s national team. ~~Pocognoli, a former Belgium international,~~ The 39-year-old signed an initial two-year contract to succeed Steve Clarke, who resigned ~~after~~ following Scotland’s group-stage exit from the 2026 World Cup. Pocognoli, ~~who previously managed~~ a former Belgium international, is the country’s first foreign manager in over 20 years. He arrives with a reputation as an emerging talent, having led Union Saint-Gilloise to their first Belgian league title in 90 years during the 2024-25 season and most recently managing AS ~~Monaco,~~ Monaco. To support his new role, Pocognoli has selected Luke Benstead, who has experience with the Belgian national team, to join his coaching staff. Pocognoli intends to implement a “dominant, high-intensity tactical style” ~~starting with the UEFA Nations League campaign. Following his appointment, Pocognoli began~~ and has begun building rapport with squad members, including captain Andy Robertson, whom he described as a “very passionate captain.” He also plans to hold discussions with players such as John McGinn and Scott McTominay ahead of the UEFA Nations League campaign. SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell addressed the decision to hire a foreign manager, noting that a lack of available top-tier domestic candidates, such as Derek McInnes and David Moyes, influenced the choice. Maxwell emphasized the necessity for the SFA to improve coach education and development pathways to bolster the pool of homegrown managerial talent for future vacancies.

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