Pocognoli named as new Scotland boss

Scotland have confirmed Sebastien Pocognoli as their new head coach on a two-year deal, handing the 39-year-old Belgian his first taste of international management after the departure of Steve Clarke.

Clarke left his role following Scotland's group-stage exit from the World Cup, and the Scottish FA have moved quickly to install Pocognoli, who becomes just the second foreign boss in the country's history after German Berti Vogts.

The former Belgium international arrives with pedigree. He guided Union Saint-Gilloise to their first Belgian Pro League title in 90 years during the 2024-25 season, before being appointed by Monaco in October 2025. He left the Ligue 1 club at the end of the 2025-26 campaign after leading them to seventh place and a Conference League spot, departing with a record of 16 wins in 38 games in all competitions and a win rate of 42.1%.

"When I first heard of the interest, I was immediately excited about the opportunity," said Pocognoli. "Scotland's supporters are famous for their passion – most recently at the World Cup in the USA – and I have experienced it myself as a player for Belgium when we played in 2013.

"Along with my coaching staff, I will do everything I can to give them a team to be proud of and build on the success that has been achieved already by my predecessor.

"Since negotiations began, I have been doing a lot of research, asking a lot of questions and looking at areas that we can build on."

The appointment marks only the third head-coach role of his post-playing career and his first at national team level. His first match in charge will come against Slovenia in the Nations League on September 26, with Switzerland and North Macedonia also in their group. The Tartan Army will be watching closely as the Belgian begins his new era.