Sebastien Pocognoli set to succeed Steve Clarke as Scotland head coach

Sebastien Pocognoli has emerged as the Scottish FA’s leading choice to succeed Steve Clarke, with talks advancing and a decision expected soon.

The 39-year-old Belgian, who left Monaco at the end of last season, has impressed the SFA hierarchy during discussions. Chief executive Ian Maxwell and newly appointed chief football officer Craig Mulholland have spoken to several candidates, but Pocognoli is understood to be at the front of the queue.

Time is tight. Scotland are back in competitive action in the Nations League with a four-game block starting away to Slovenia on 26 September, and the governing body is keen to have a new head coach in place well before that window.

Pocognoli’s coaching reputation soared in Belgium when he led Union Saint-Gilloise to a historic league title in 2024-25, ending a 90-year wait for the club. That achievement, coupled with his recent top-flight experience at Monaco, has strengthened his case as Scotland look for a fresh direction after the World Cup.

As a player, Pocognoli knows British football. He had spells in England with West Bromwich Albion and Brighton & Hove Albion and won 13 caps for Belgium, adding international pedigree to his CV.

If appointed, he would become only the second foreign head coach of the Scotland men’s national team, following German manager Berti Vogts’ spell in charge.

The search began after Clarke, who had signed a new four-year contract in May, resigned in the wake of Scotland’s group-stage exit at the World Cup, bringing an end to his seven-year reign. The SFA now stands on the brink of a bold call: double down on the familiar, or hand the reins to a young Belgian coach tasked with reshaping the next chapter.