Scotland Manager Clarke's Future Uncertain After 2026 World Cup

Scotland's national team manager Steve Clarke faces uncertainty over his future as his contract with the Scottish Football Association nears its end after the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. The 62-year-old, who has guided the team to three consecutive major tournaments since taking charge in 2019, described the prospects of staying on as a 50-50 chance during a recent media briefing. He expressed a preference for resolving the matter before the tournament begins this summer.

Clarke, formerly coach at Kilmarnock and West Bromwich Albion, has transformed Scotland's fortunes on the international stage. When he assumed the role, the team was reeling from a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Kazakhstan, one of the lowest points in its history. Under his leadership, Scotland qualified for the European Championships in 2020 and 2024, as well as the upcoming World Cup, marking the first such streak in decades. Midfielder Ryan Christie, who has earned 64 caps since Clarke's arrival, credits the manager with building a cohesive squad. "I think you just need to look at what he's done for us," Christie said. "I've put so much of our success over the last few years down to him in terms of...