Pocognoli Frontrunner To Succeed Clarke As Scotland Manager

The Scottish Football Association has identified former Monaco head coach Sebastien Pocognoli as its primary target to replace Steve Clarke, with an appointment potentially days away as the national team prepares for a critical Nations League campaign.

The 39-year-old Belgian, who left Ligue 1 side Monaco at the end of the 2025-26 season, has emerged from a shortlist of candidates interviewed by SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell and newly appointed chief football officer Craig Mulholland.

Pocognoli’s stock rose sharply after he guided Union Saint-Gilloise to their first Belgian Pro League title in 90 years during the 2024-25 campaign, breaking the dominance of Anderlecht and Club Brugge.
Negotiations are understood to be at an advanced stage, with the SFA keen to finalize terms before Scotland’s upcoming four-match Nations League schedule begins with a away fixture against Slovenia on 26 September.

The timing is considered crucial, as the new manager would have limited preparation time with the squad.
Pocognoli is no stranger to British football, having spent five seasons in England during his playing career with West Bromwich Albion and Brighton & Hove Albion.

He made 72 Premier League appearances and earned 13 caps for Belgium between 2010 and 2015, though he never featured in a major tournament for the Red Devils.

If appointed, Pocognoli would become only the second foreign-born manager to take charge of the Scotland men’s senior team, following German Berti Vogts, who managed the side from 2002 to 2004.

He would also be one of the youngest permanent managers in Scotland’s modern history.
An official announcement could come as early as next week, barring any last-minute contractual complications, with Pocognoli expected to bring his own coaching staff from his previous roles in Belgium and France.