Pocognoli

New Scotland boss Sebastien Pocognoli says the passionate nature of Scottish football was a key factor in his taking the job.

Pocognoli, 39, was confirmed as Steve Clarke’s successor on Sunday and introduced himself to the media on Monday.

Clarke ended his seven-year reign earlier this summer after Scotland failed to progress from the World Cup group stage after a victory over Haiti was followed by defeats by Morocco and Brazil.

Former Belgium defender Pocognoli left Monaco at the end of last season and previously led Union Saint-Gilloise to their first league title in 90 years in 2024-25.

He becomes only the second foreign boss of the Scotland men’s team, after the German Berti Vogts, and believes he has what it takes to build on Clarke’s “strong foundation”.

“I’m very proud to be here,” Pocognoli said, flanked by Scottish Football Association (SFA) chiefs Ian Maxwell and Craig Mulholland at his introduction.

“It’s a very strong challenge, with a project to develop the future of Scottish football. There are the metrics, but the human aspect was also very important. I never go to a challenge where I can’t feel the connection.

“Scotland is a passionate country and I think also, regarding the strong foundation that Steve Clarke and his staff laid, that I can use this heritage to put the next accent on the style of play while also developing players for the future.

“That’s why I’m here.”

Former Monaco head coach Sebastien Pocognoli has been identified by the Scottish FA as their prime candidate to replace Steve Clarke.

The 39-year-old Belgian, who left Monaco at the end of last season, previously led Union Saint-Gilloise to a first league title in 90 years in 2024-25.

Pocognoli is one of several candidates to have been spoken to by Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell and Craig Mulholland, who was appointed as the association’s chief football officer in May.

And it is thought an appointment could be imminent, with Scotland returning to action in the Nations League with a four-game block of fixtures, starting in Slovenia on 26 September.

Pocognoli spent time in England during his playing career, turning out for West Bromwich Albion and Brighton & Hove Albion, and earned 13 caps for Belgium.

He would become just the second foreign boss of the Scotland men’s team, after German Berti Vogts.

Clarke – who had signed a new four-year deal in May – resigned following the group-stage exit at the World Cup, ending his seven-year tenure.

Steven Naismith, who served as one of his assistant, said last month he expects to continue in the national team set-up under a new boss.