Steve Clarke Resigns as Scotland Manager After World Cup Exit
Steve Clarke has stepped down as Scotland’s head coach, with the announcement coming within an hour of the country’s elimination from World Cup 2026. The 62-year-old, who had been in charge since 2019, confirmed his decision via an open letter to supporters — a notably emotional farewell after seven years in the role.
Scotland finished third in Group C with just three points, their campaign undone by a 1-0 defeat to Morocco and a heavy 3-0 loss to Brazil. A narrow win over Haiti in the opener proved insufficient to keep knockout-stage ambitions alive. Croatia’s victory over Ghana finally sealed Scotland’s fate, though the exit had felt inevitable long before the final whistle. You can check how the group finished on our live standings.
According to The Guardian, Clarke had signed a four-year contract extension shortly before the tournament — a decision that will invite fresh scrutiny of Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell and his colleagues. Maxwell nonetheless offered warm words, saying the country would eventually be grateful for Clarke’s role in restoring Scotland to major tournament football.
In his open letter, Clarke was reflective rather than defensive, offering no direct explanation for the World Cup shortcomings. He did, however, reserve particular praise for his players: