Wouter Vrancken has backed Sebastien Pocognoli to succeed in the Scotland job, praising the Belgian's aggressive football philosophy as a good fit for the national team.
Pocognoli, 39, is set to be appointed as Steve Clarke's successor after impressing SFA chiefs in interviews over the past month. He led Royal Union Saint Gilloise to their first Belgian top flight title in 90 years in the 2024-25 season before moving to Monaco last season.
Former teammate's endorsement
Vrancken played with Pocognoli at Genk and later worked alongside him at the Jupiler League club four years ago, when Pocognoli was U18 coach and Vrancken was first team manager. They later went head-to-head when Pocognoli took over at USG, with Vrancken at Gent by that point.
Despite never coaching directly with the incoming Scots boss, Vrancken, now Hearts manager, knows enough about the 13-times capped former Belgium left back to say he is a good match for the Hampden role.
Style of play praised
Asked if Scotland fans should be excited, Vrancken said: “Let's hope. Let's hope. I didn't work with him - but his style of play can work I think. His style of play is also pretty physical, direct. So I think it’s a good match.”
He added: “But I think there are other people to decide on these things. I know him just as a good guy. I know him pretty well because I played with him for two years. He was a young player at that moment. And he was under-18 coach when I was in Genk as first team coach. So I know him a bit. I know his style of play because we played each other of when he was in Union. And he did really well there. And let's hope he can work with the national team.”
Historic appointment
Pocognoli will become the first foreign boss since Berti Vogts 22 years ago to manage Scotland. Vrancken added: “It's always good for Belgian coaches. When coaches get an opportunity to have a nice job outside Belgium. So let's hope when he would become the national coach that he does well.”
