Steve Clarke resigns as Scotland head coach after World Cup exit

sportsJun 28, 202638509

Steve Clarke resigned as Scotland head coach minutes after the national team's elimination from World Cup 2026, ending a seven-year spell in charge. Clarke had taken Scotland back to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years and oversaw moments such as the 1-0 win over Haiti on 13 June, one of Scotland's few World Cup victories. Reaction in public posts praised Clarke for raising expectations and delivering historic nights against opponents such as Serbia and Denmark, while critics pointed to a cautious style and poor tournament performances, notably Scotland scoring only once in three group games. His sudden departure immediately creates a vacancy at the national helm and prompted calls for a wider overhaul of Scottish football, with some commentators naming figures such as David Moyes or Ange post-Clarke as potential successors.

John Swinney

@johnswinney.bsky.social

I am sorry to hear that Steve Clarke has stood down as Head Coach of the Scotland men’s team. He has taken the team and the country on an exciting journey to reach the World Cup for the first time in 28 years and he has so much to be proud of. I wish him well for the future. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

19345d ago

Maureen McGuire3

Sorry to hear that too, he was a good manager and only could use what he had

David Reynolds2

Praising Clarke for getting Scotland to the World Cup, ignoring the fact that it was only because Denmark blew a winning position in the qualifying group. Overlooking the poor performances in qualifying and at the WC. The same blinkered outcome bias that persuaded the SFA to extend his contract.

Tabornottime2

Thanks Steve and staff you gave us all one great party x

Sam1

Steve should be proud of the job he has done often it seemed more by luck than judgement. However it is most definitely the right time to go.

Duke

@silverduke.bsky.social

Steve Clarke resigns as Scotland Manager. Not much more he could have done IMO. Scottish football needs a massive overhaul. Compared to countries of a similar size, its talent production is woeful. The rest of the league are just background extras to the Celtic & Rangers show. #lfc

3445d ago

Rusty Mckeever5

No way on Earth they beat Morocco or Brazil,not talented enough. They need to makeover from youth football on up. Anyway, I hope they come back here even if it’s for friendless….🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿❤️

Paul M3

Hope he gets credit for making the team more than the sum of their parts.

Dennis Boegel Jr1

A wee bit dreadful. Can't just be Celtic-Rangers. Need to spread football throughout the highlands, even to the remote islands that want a piece of the action. Of course, not all of the remote islands want the noise.

Mike Kent1

Said for years Rangers and Celtic should enter youth teams into the bottom tier of English football. They’d get the first few promotions easily and probably be in the English football league in 5 or 6 years. Then when they get to league 1 disband the teams in Scotland transfer over the fielrst team.

flyingrodent

@flyingrodent.bsky.social

I’ll say this: Steve Clarke selected players not on their skill, but on their willingness to work themselves into the ground for the cause. And he was right, that was the correct thing to do. It’s why we got to all these tournaments.

2745d ago

Dani Garavelli

@danigaravelli.bsky.social

As an aside, I've heard so much criticism of Steve Clarke over the last week or so, and I am no expert so wouldn't quibble. But, man, the memories he has given you all - they're something to be grateful for.

2545d ago

Graham Ruthven

@grahamruthven.bsky.social

Steve Clarke is gone but that should only be the start of a complete revamp of Scottish football. Ian Maxwell and Mike Mulraney next. Followed by Scot Gemmill. The whole thing, in the bin.

2245d ago

Alex Johnstone

@alexjohnstone01.bsky.social

Thank you Steve Clarke. He has been the best manager of my lifetime and possibly ever, but this is the right time to go. So many great night outweigh the negatives, cheers 🍻

845d ago

Baffy Niblick

@baffyniblick.bsky.social

Like many, if not all Scotland supporters, I think Steve Clarke is a good guy. A stand-up bloke who dearly loves his country. For that alone, he deserves huge respect. Unfortunately, his style of play and lack of attacking vision was something never likely to change. Wishing him all the best. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💜

1245d ago

Stefan Bienkowski

@sbienkowski.bsky.social

Steve Clarke is probably Scotland’s greatest ever manager. He achieved what seemed impossible to a whole generation of Scotland fans. His name is firmly etched in our history.

1145d ago

Tom Hogg 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

@tomhogg.bsky.social

It seems right that Steve Clarke should go now. What's not right is that the SFA will inevitably have no idea what to do next, other than to appoint a manager. It's an opportunity for structural change but they will not see it like that. All they want is continuity and no risk taking.

845d ago

Peter Smith

@redpeter99.bsky.social

BBC News reports that Steve Clarke has "suddenly" stepped down as Scotland coach. How should he do it? The Dance of the Seven Kilts?

1245d ago

happyforhearts.bsky.social1

Not celebrating him going. Thought there were was much more good than bad. I do believe the squad does need revisited, and the next manager will need to qualify and get through the group or there will have been no progress. Even if there is a big change of personnel.

Sunder Katwala (sundersays)

@sundersays.bsky.social

Scotland manager Steve Clarke has resigned after their World Cup elimination www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...

845d ago

Ian McKay1

In a world of opinionated hyperbole, he is an honourable man who did a good job.

Quoting this

Stephen Graham10

The BBC News helicopter following Andy Burnham as he takes the train to Hampden.

Kenny Stewart

@kennystew.art

I think Steve Clarke has made an honourable decision that is appropriate in the context of him being terrific at qualifying for major tournaments and then struggling hugely once we were there. His favoured players simply haven’t performed when it’s come to the crunch and his tactics haven’t worked.

1145d ago

Everton The Gear

@evertonthegear.co.uk

Would be devastating to lose Moyes to Scotland but he would go with my blessing and if he doesn’t hear me honking the horn outside his house in the next 5 minutes he can find someone else to drop him off at the border. Welcome to Everton, Steve Clarke.

1045d ago