Story perspectives

Scotland appoints Sébastien Pocognoli as national team manager

8/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

Scotland's football association will appoint Sébastien Pocognoli as the new national team manager.
He replaces Steve Clarke, who quit in June after Scotland’s World Cup group-stage exit despite a four-year contract.
Pocognoli guided Union Saint-Gilloise to its first Belgian league title in 90 years in 2024-25.
Scotland’s Nations League begins in Slovenia on 26 September with Pocognoli’s first home match versus Switzerland scheduled for 29 September.

History

Historical Context

Since the Scotland manager role began in 1954, the team has never passed a World Cup or Euro group stage, prompting changes after failures. Craig Brown quit in 2001 after the 1998 World Cup, holding a record nine-year, 71-match tenure; Steve Clarke stepped down after the 2026 World Cup, Scotland’s first finals since 1998. These swaps show the SFA habit of replacing managers after disappointment.

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Story summary

Scotland's football association will appoint Sébastien Pocognoli as the new national team manager.
He replaces Steve Clarke, who quit in June after Scotland’s World Cup group-stage exit despite a four-year contract.
Pocognoli guided Union Saint-Gilloise to its first Belgian league title in 90 years in 2024-25.
Scotland’s Nations League begins in Slovenia on 26 September with Pocognoli’s first home match versus Switzerland scheduled for 29 September.

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