Steve Clarke has signed a new contract that will keep him as Scotland men's head coach until after the 2030 World Cup. The deal extends his tenure beyond this summer's tournament in North America and into the home European Championship in 2028, co-hosted by the UK and Ireland.
Clarke's Achievements and Future Plans
Clarke took over the national team in 2019 and has since led Scotland to two European Championships and qualification for the 2026 World Cup, their first men's World Cup in 28 years. Scotland will face Haiti, Morocco, and Brazil in Group C, aiming to reach the knockout stages for the first time. They will play warm-up matches against Curacao and Bolivia before the tournament.
Expressing his delight, Clarke said: "I am truly honoured to lead my squad into our first men's World Cup in 28 years and I'm proud to continue as head coach. I know the Scotland supporters appreciate the achievements of this group in qualifying for back-to-back Euros and equally sure the whole nation rejoiced in our qualification for World Cup 2026 after such a long time."
He added: "It's very important to look ahead and plan for the future, and while my squad will be doing everything in their power to compete and make the country proud in America this summer, it also gives us certainty ahead of the tournament knowing that we can look to build on those foundations for the long-term. For now, it's all about preparing for the World Cup, starting against Curacao this weekend."
Scottish FA's Support
Ian Maxwell, chief executive of the Scottish FA, praised Clarke's record: "On behalf of the Board I am delighted that we have agreed with Steve to continue as men's head coach. His record speaks for itself: three finals tournament qualifications out of four, including consecutive Euros finals and, of course, an imminent World Cup return after nearly three decades."
Maxwell continued: "Beyond that, he has built a squad that the nation has taken to its heart, making Barclays Hampden a fortress once again. During our discussions about the future we were all agreed that we cannot rest on our achievements or ever take qualification for granted. The passion and enthusiasm with which he discussed that road map emphasises that this will not simply be a continuation but a renewed purpose and focus over the next four years."
