Steve Clarke steps down as Scotland coach after World Cup exit

Steve Clarke has stepped down from his position as Scotland head coach following their World Cup exit. Scotland’s elimination was officially confirmed with the results from Group L on Saturday afternoon ET. Clarke’s decision to walk away from his position after seven years was announced shortly after, despite the 62-year-old Scot having signed a contract extension until the 2030 World Cup in May. In an open letter to supporters, posted by the Scottish FA, Clarke said: “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. 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.”

Clarke helped Scotland reach a first World Cup in 28 years by topping their European qualification group. Scotland earned a win in their first game of the tournament, 1-0 against Haiti. However, subsequent defeats by Morocco and Brazil left them third in Group C, with results elsewhere meaning they could not advance to the round of 32 as one of the best eight finishers. On the same day Clarke signed his contract extension to cover the 2028 European Championship and 2030 World Cup, he was inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame.

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Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell said in a statement on Saturday: “While we are all disappointed to have exited the World Cup at the group stage, we must not lose sight of the undeniable progress made during Steve’s seven years in charge. From starting as a pot four team in 2019 to topping our World Cup qualifying group, he has more than delivered on the remit to take Scotland back to a major tournament. We thank Steve for his record-breaking contribution and know that when the disappointment of World Cup elimination subsides, the Scotland supporters will be thankful for the memories of marching with pride at major tournaments once again.”

Clarke made a concerted point of having his contractual situation sorted before the World Cup, so the timing of his exit so soon after Scotland’s final game is a shock. But given the disappointment at the team’s performance in the United States, it is hardly a surprise. Scotland won the game they were supposed to against Haiti, and lost the two they were supposed to lose against Morocco and Brazil. But the frustration runs deeper. This was Scotland’s third major tournament in the last five years and lessons were supposed to have been learned. Clarke and the players promised there would be no regrets but delivered three performances which let the same ‘What if?’ feeling.

Clarke is Scotland’s longest-serving manager in history and deserves credit for taking the team to their first major tournament in over 20 years, the 2020 Euros. He has made qualifying normal again but there has been little progress beyond that. Scotland have won just one of nine games at major tournaments under his reign and scored only four goals in that time. Smaller nations than them have left a greater impression on tournaments and that’s the frustration. It looked like Clarke felt that discontent, prematurely leaving his last two post-match interviews and declaring Scotland were going home before they mathematically had. Now feels like the right time for fresh ideas but Scotland’s problems extend beyond Clarke. As he admitted this week, the country is not producing the technical and athletic level required to compete. The Scottish FA must use this time to evaluate the wider ills of the national game.