Scotland manager Steve Clarke resigns after World Cup exit

Steve Clarke has resigned as manager of the Scotland national football team following the team's elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. The decision, announced on Saturday, June 27, ends Clarke's seven-year tenure, during which he guided Scotland to three consecutive major tournaments.

Clarke revealed that he had long intended to step down if Scotland failed to advance from the group stage, a goal that eluded his squad across three tournaments. This intention was in place even as he signed a new four-year contract extension just one month before the World Cup. He explained that signing the deal was meant to provide stability for the players ahead of the tournament, but his personal plan was contingent on progression.

Scotland's World Cup campaign ended with one win and two losses in Group C. They opened with a 1-0 victory over Haiti but subsequently fell to Morocco and Brazil, finishing 11th among the 12 third-place teams. Only the top eight third-place teams advanced to the knockout rounds. Clarke described the opening match, with thousands of Scotland supporters and his family in attendance, as the best moment of the tournament. He acknowledged the...