Sports28 June, 20262 min read
Steve Clarke Resigns After Scotland World Cup Exit; Ian Maxwell Starts Replacement Process
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Steve Clarke resigns as Scotland head coach after 2026 World Cup exit. Replacement search for Scotland head coach underway; candidates being considered.
Clarke quits after exit
Scotland’s head coach Steve Clarke resigned in the early hours of Sunday after the national team’s World Cup exit was confirmed, with attention immediately turning to who would replace him. BBC reporting framed the moment as a “shock news” that came before the Scotland squad had “even left their World Cup base yet,” while the Daily Record said Clarke stepped down just minutes after their group stage exit was confirmed. Sky Sports said Clarke’s resignation followed Scotland’s World Cup exit being confirmed by Ghana’s defeat to Croatia on Saturday night, and noted that defeats to Morocco and Brazil followed a 1-0 win over Haiti.
“The process for that (appointing a new manager) starts now.”
Daily Record also said Clarke had penned a brand new four year contract before the tournament, and that the Hampden boss addressed members of the media in Charlotte before the Scotland contingent headed home. In the immediate aftermath, the Daily Record reported that Ian Maxwell said “The process for that (appointing a new manager) starts now.”
Debate over successors
Kris Boyd defended Clarke after he stepped down, telling Sky Sports News that criticism of the manager was an “absolute disgrace.” Boyd also said “There's a lot of criticism flying around,” adding that when things do not go to plan “you're always going to be criticised.” On the BBC, fans weighed in on whether Ange Postecoglou should be considered, with Tommy saying “Postecoglou would be the perfect fit.”
The Daily Record reported that Maxwell had already been inundated with messages from managers declaring an interest in the Scotland job, and said he insisted they were willing to cast the net far and wide. Sky Sports also quoted Maxwell saying he had applicants for the head coach position just hours after Clarke departed and that “Nothing's off the table.”
What comes next
The Daily Record said Maxwell pointed to Scotland’s co-hosting of the Euros in 2028 as a reason to move quickly on succession planning, while also stressing that “It's about getting the right coach, it's not about necessarily where they come from.” The Scotsman reported that Scotland are not back in action until the September Nations League campaign, where they face Switzerland, Slovenia and North Macedonia. GiveMeSport said Bet365’s odds listed a wide field of potential replacements, including Ange Postecoglou and David Moyes, and described Moyes as the frontrunner with 4/1 odds.
“It's about getting the right coach, it's not about necessarily where they come from.”
Ouest-France reported that Steve Clarke had warned supporters not to “get into too much debt” for World Cup tickets, and said FIFA prices for a place in the final would be between €6,000 and €7,000 per person. As the search continues, the BBC’s fan discussion also reflected the pressure of timing and expectations, with Mark saying whoever comes in has a “good chance to get through groups for the first time” at the next Euros as host nations.