Pocognoli takes over as Scotland manager after Clarke’s World Cup exit

London, Aug 17 — Sebastien Pocognoli, the former Monaco coach, has been appointed as the new manager of the Scotland national team, replacing Steve Clarke who stepped down after the World Cup. The Scottish Football Association announced that the 39-year-old Belgian has signed a two-year initial contract and will lead Scotland into the upcoming UEFA Nations League campaign.

Pocognoli, a former Belgium international, succeeded Clarke, who resigned following Scotland's group-stage elimination from the World Cup in June. Speaking to the SFA website, Pocognoli expressed his excitement about the opportunity, noting Scotland's passionate supporters, particularly those who witnessed their team's World Cup campaign in the USA.

He vowed to work with his coaching staff to build on the successes achieved under his predecessor. Pocognoli is the second foreign coach to manage Scotland, following Germany's Berti Vogts from 2002-04. The former West Brom and Brighton left-back will now build upon Clarke's record of leading Scotland to their first three major tournaments of the century.

After leading Union Saint-Gilloise to their first Belgian title in 90 years, Pocognoli joined Monaco in October last year, where he guided them into the Champions League knockout phase. He was, however, sacked in June due to a disappointing seventh-place finish in Ligue 1 that prevented Monaco from securing a Champions League spot.

Pocognoli's tenure as Scotland's manager will commence with a Nations League opener against Slovenia in Ljubljana on September 26.