Scotland Must Look Beyond Borders for Clarke’s Replacement
Steve Clarke has resigned as Scotland manager following the country’s underwhelming exit from the 2026 World Cup, leaving the Scottish Football Association (SFA) with an urgent and potentially awkward task on their hands — finding a successor capable of doing better.
According to The Guardian, Scotland’s struggles go deeper than just results on the pitch. The piece argues that the same shortage of talent visible among Scottish players is mirrored in the country’s coaching pool, leaving the SFA with limited credible domestic options and a pressing need to look abroad.
Clarke, 62, leaves with credit in the bank after ending Scotland’s long absence from major tournaments — qualifying for three successive finals — but his tenure ultimately concluded in frustration. Scotland finished as the 11th-ranked third-placed team out of 12 at the World Cup, falling well short of their stated aim of reaching the last 32. The Guardian notes that Clarke’s departure, while abrupt, appeared to spare both him and his employers a drawn-out split.
What makes the resignation stranger is the timing. The SFA gave Clarke a fresh four-year contract just weeks before the tournament kicked off — a decision The Guardian describes as “tone deaf and arrogant” given Scotland’s subsequent performances in the US.
On the question of who comes next, the options are thin. David Moyes and Derek McInnes have long been talked about as natural candidates, but both are tied to club commitments. Among Scottish managers currently working in the Scottish top flight, The Guardian identifies John McGlynn of Falkirk as the only genuinely credible name — though his ability to command the respect of international players such as Scott McTominay or John McGinn remains an open question.
Clarke’s assistant Steven Naismith is expected to be mentioned as a contender, but The Guardian suggests his close association with the squad’s performances makes his candidacy difficult to justify.
The broader argument is that this represents a genuine opportunity for the SFA to change course. Rather than defaulting to a familiar face, The Guardian says Scotland should target coaches who have made notable progress with comparably sized nations — a point driven home by the scale of the current failure.
For supporters tracking Scotland’s World Cup journey and what comes next, our World Cup 2026 hub and live standings have everything you need.
The SFA has not yet confirmed a timeline for the appointment process.