Clarke quits with ‘pride’ just weeks after new deal – Daily Business

Scotland’s disappointing World Cup campaign has culminated in the resignation of head coach Steve Clarke after the team’s elimination was confirmed.

The slim hopes of progressing to the knockout stage were extinguished by results elsewhere, prompting an early end to a tournament that had been accompanied by somewhat optimistic expectations.

Scotland finished ?third in Group ?C ?behind Brazil and Morocco, with just one goal scored, but were not among the top eight third-placed ?finishers ?who make up ?the final 32.

In a statement last night, the Scottish Football Association stated: “The country’s most ?successful national coach has called time on his seven years ?in charge following confirmation ?of Scotland’s exit from the ?2026 ?FIFA World Cup,”

It is just 31 days since Clarke signed a four-year deal to remain in post. Ten minutes after informing the squad of his decision he issued a 1,000-word “letter to the nation” saying his overwhelming emotion was “pride, closely followed by satisfaction” and witnessing “the reconnection of our national team and fans”.

Clarke, 62, took over in May 2019 and led the team to qualification for Euro 2020. Failure to reach the 2022 World Cup was followed by qualification for the Euros in Germany in 2024.

He won 36 matches, drawing 16 and losing 29 – a win ratio of 44.4% – and led the team for 81 games, the most of any Scotland manager.

In his letter he said that when he was first approached by the Scottish FA about the position of head coach he “was advised by many people to leave well alone as the job had become a poisoned chalice.”

He added: “I was just the wee boy from Saltcoats who had done well in his chosen profession and my country wanted me to be their leader, at least in a football sense. I couldn’t find a reason to turn the approach down. My job remit was simple: qualify for a major tournament.

“As I reflect on my seven years in the job my overriding emotion is pride, closely followed by satisfaction, to be the first coach since Craig Brown, in 1998, to lead the country to the finals of a major tournament was the stuff of dreams.

“In time I will be able to reflect on a tumultuous seven years but one element that has given me the greatest satisfaction is witnessing the reconnection of our national team and our fans.

“This reconnection was never more evident than during the past few weeks. From Miami to Boston and New Jersey our fans won the hearts and minds of the American public and football fans across the world.

“Let us not forget that the players won a World Cup finals match for only the fifth time in Scottish football history, and the first for 36 years. The team were responsible for giving everyone the chance to create memories that will last a lifetime and I am proud to have played a part in that.”

Ian Maxwell, SFA chief executive, added: “While we are all disappointed to have exited the World Cup at the group stage, we must not lose sight of the undeniable progress made during Steve’s seven years in charge.

“From starting as a pot four team in 2019 to topping our World Cup qualifying group, he has more than delivered on the remit to take Scotland back to a major tournament.

“We thank Steve for his record-breaking contribution and know that when the disappointment of World Cup elimination subsides, the Scotland supporters will be thankful for the memories of marching with pride at major tournaments once again.”