Steve Clarke quits as Scotland manager after World Cup
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- Steve Clarke stepped down as Scotland manager Saturday after the team was eliminated in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, their first appearance at the tournament in 28 years.
- Clarke had signed a new contract with the Scottish FA set to run through 2030 only 30 days before the resignation announcement.
- Scotland finished Group C with a minus-3 goal difference after beating Haiti 1-0, losing to Morocco 1-0, and falling 3-0 to Brazil, missing out as one of the best third-placed teams.
- Croatia's 2-1 win over Ghana in Group L confirmed Scotland's exit, with Opta already rating Scotland's knockout chances at 0.07% heading into that match.
- Clarke took the Scotland job in 2019, led the team to Euro 2021 and Euro 2024, and topped the World Cup qualifying group with a 4-2 win over Denmark.
- Scottish FA CEO Ian Maxwell credited Clarke with moving Scotland from a Pot 4 side to qualifying group winners and thanked supporters who made 'a significant financial commitment' to travel to the United States.
Why it matters: The Scottish FA must now find a successor despite having locked Clarke into a deal through 2030 just one month earlier, while Scotland returns to the qualifying treadmill for the 2028 Euros and 2030 World Cup having shown progress—two major tournament appearances—before falling short of a historic knockout-stage debut.
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