Clarke departs after Scotland's World Cup elimination
Steve Clarke has resigned as Scotland head coach following the team's official exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Scottish Football Association announced on Friday. The 62-year-old's departure ends a seven-year stint in which he led Scotland to their first men's World Cup in 28 years and consecutive UEFA European Championship qualifications.
Scotland finished third in Group C after facing Haiti, Morocco, and Brazil, but failed to secure a place among the eight best third-placed teams, ending their campaign before the knockout stage. The Scottish FA confirmed Clarke's resignation shortly after elimination was confirmed.
Clarke's legacy: historic achievements
Clarke, who took charge in 2019, is widely regarded as Scotland's most successful national coach in the modern era. Under his guidance, Scotland qualified for UEFA Euro 2020, their first major tournament in 23 years, and followed that with Euro 2024 qualification. The pinnacle came in 2026 when Scotland ended a 28-year World Cup drought.
In May 2026, Clarke signed a new contract that would have kept him in charge through the 2030 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Euro 2028 tournament, co-hosted by Britain and Ireland. However, the early World Cup exit prompted his immediate resignation.
Emotional farewell to players
In a statement, Clarke expressed deep gratitude to his squad: "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."
The Scottish FA thanked Clarke for his service, noting that he had transformed the national team's fortunes and restored pride in Scottish football. The search for a new head coach is expected to begin immediately.
