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Favourites to become new Scotland manager as Steve Clarke steps down after World Cup exit

We take a look at the favourites to become new Scotland manager as Steve Clarke steps down after his side’s World Cup exit.

Their chances of advancing to the knockout looked bleak following their group fixtures, and after a week or waiting, Scotland’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup was confirmed following Croatia’s win against Ghana.

The result also means Scotland are the first nation in World Cup history to be eliminated from the Group Stage nine times.

Shortly after the result, Clarke, who only signed a new four-year deal only a month ago, issued a statement, confirming he was leaving his role.

OPEN LETTER FROM STEVE CLARKE:

“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 county 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. To be the first coach since Craig Brown, in 1998, to lead the country to the finals of a major tournament was the stuff of dreams.

“That night in Belgrade – with no supporters in the stadium due to Covid – was an experience of pure, raw emotion from start to finish. It gave the nation some welcome cheer from the restrictions of the pandemic.

“Although the tournament was, for us at least, a bit of a damp squib, there was an unforgettable night at Wembley when we more than matched the eventual beaten finalists England and held them to a 0-0 win! The biggest disappointment of that tournament was the absence of the Tartan Army in their tens of thousands.

“Roll on three years and we did it again, this time overseas in a great footballing country, Germany. With no Covid restrictions this time the Tartan Army made sure they were there in even greater numbers than ever before – after all, it was a 26-yean wait for the older members of the battalion.

“Again we came up shot in the matches but a marker had been set and a new generation of Scotland supporters took my squad to their hearts. Qualify – and they will come in their thousands. While emotions are raw following our elimination, I genuinely believe that if we continue to qualify regularly for these tournaments, we will inevitably break the glass ceiling of reaching the knockout phase.”

He continued: “Winning our group from a position as third seeds is a truly remarkable achievement from a remarkable bunch of players that I have been lucky enough to lead. The campaign was difficult against quality opposition but time and time again we found a way to get the required points culminating in the most incredible Scotland game ever seen at Hampden Park in a 4-2 win versus Denmark.

“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 to 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 heats 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 pant in that.

“As I conclude my reflection on a wonderful seven years I really need to thank my even-changing coaching staff who have all helped me immensely: Alex Dyer, Steven Reid and Stevie Woods initially; followed by John Carver, Steven Naismith and Chris Woods as the key men by my side. Austin MacPhee and James Morrison joined us to help the push to Euro 2024, then Alan Irvine, who brought great experience to our group, and Andrew Hughes joined the team to help clinch our World Cup 2026 qualification. All good coaches but even better people.

“The auxiliary staff [too many to mention but they know who they are] who did the match analysis, medical, spots science, kit, logistics and media. When I started the Head of Performance, Graeme Jones, was my go-to with any problem or issue and we worked well together in implementing our off-field progress with facilities and structure. When Graeme departed for pastures new, Mark Leslie stepped-up seamlessly to continue that push for higher standards off the pitch, reflected in our preparation for World Cup 2026.”

“Thank you to both my administrative support staff for looking after me so attentively: firstly Frank Reilly who, after a long wait, represented his country when we qualified for Euro 2020 before retiring a happy man. Ashley Phillip replaced Frank and continued to support me on top of her other duties with the Scottish FA.
Thank you to my two Presidents, the sadly departed Rod Petrie, and Mike Mulaney both of whom supported me in their own particular way. Two good men with the best interests of Scottish football at heart.

“Thanks also to Chief Executive lan Maxwell for putting his head on the chopping block and making me his fist Head Coach appointment and to the bond who always listened to me when I made my requests for help in trying to improve facilities and matters concerning the team and players.

“The most emotional pant 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.

Bye-Bye, Scotland!

Steve Clarke

FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW SCOTLAND MANAGER:

Sky Bet – 28th June
David Moyes – 3/1
Ange Postecoglu – 5/1
Alex Neil – 5/1
Martin O’Neill – 5/1
Steven Gerrard – 7/1
Steven Naismith – 15/2
Scott Brown – 17/2
Derek McInnes – 9/1
Robbie Keane – 9/1
Brendan Rogers – 11/1
Shaun Maloney – 11/1
Neil Lennon – 12/1
Russell Martin – 14/1
Duncan Ferguson – 16/1

“I think we’re going home” – Steve Clarke reacts with Scotland’s World Cup hopes on brink

Here’s how fans reacted amid the favourites to become new Scotland manager as Steve Clarke steps down after his side’s World Cup exit…

@JackMcM55: The SFA need to throw all the money they have to get either David Moyes or Kasper Hjulmand to take the Scotland job 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿.

@aj__lmao: you’re happy now but wait until the shortlist is; Alex Neil, Jim Goodwin, David Moyes and Jack Ross

@kieran_ashton1: Feelings are obviously still raw, but he deserves a huge amount of credit. Taking over the reigns when we were in the abyss, qualifying for 3 major tournaments, ending so much heartache. This was the right decision though. I hope he’s remembered for the good and not the bad. In all seriousness, he deserves a lot of credit, we were in the abyss when he took the reins and got us to 3 national tournaments and for that I’m forever grateful. This was the right decision though, the games in September would’ve gotten incredibly toxic if it went badly.

@Mikeusernameetc: Good for him. Deserves MASSIVE praise for getting Scotland to a World Cup. But we can’t keep playing this “we’re too scared” football. We have excellent players. We have good youth coming through. Get Ange on the phone.

@thistlefan04: Most successful manager in the countries history statistically, deserves a lot of praise for how he finally got us back to the big stage. But it was time to go. All the best

@ETimsNet: Makes sense. Thanks for getting us to three major tournies. Beating Denmark last year to qualify for WC was incredible. Alas, when we got to tournies he was far too cautious. Hopefully, the next coach finds a better balance between attacking and defending.

@Chefsamw: Thanks for everything you’ve given us Steve you made us believe as a nation! But now we need a manager who can actually get us out of group stages

@geeman909:
1x World Cup
2x Euros
Pot 4 to almost Pot 1.
Nations League Pool A
Hampden full again
30k plus members
Thank You Steve Clarke.
All the best 👍

@ManpreetPTFC_V5: Remember him for the good not the bad, he finally got us back to the biggest stage for the first time in decades even if time was up. Covid Euros, Germany 24 & USA 26 won’t ever be forgotten, incredible experiences that we didn’t believe we’d see. Thank you for the memories 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💙

@AgentScotland: Really mixed feelings on this, our three appearances at tournaments under Clarke have been diabolical, but before he took charge I genuinely didn’t think I’d ever see us at another tourney, under him I felt like we could qualify for all of them, he’ll be a very hard act to follow

@Fitzy__07: Fair fucks for walking even after a contract extension. Thanks for getting us to our first World Cup in 28 years & thanks for stepping down after making zero attempts at winning a game at that World Cup 👋🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

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