Belgium’s Pocognoli named new Scotland manager ahead of Nations League

Sebastien Pocognoli has been appointed Scotland manager on an initial two-year contract, replacing Steve Clarke after the national team’s group-stage exit from the World Cup in June. The 39-year-old Belgian will begin his tenure with Scotland’s UEFA Nations League opener away to Slovenia in Ljubljana on September 26.

Pocognoli becomes only the second foreign coach to lead Scotland, following Germany’s Berti Vogts, who held the post from 2002 to 2004. He previously represented Belgium as a player and played as a left-back for West Bromwich Albion and Brighton.

His coaching reputation was strengthened by a title-winning first season with Union Saint-Gilloise. Pocognoli guided the club to the 2024/25 Belgian championship, their first league title in 90 years, before leaving for Monaco in October last year.

At Monaco, he led the club into the Champions League knockout phase, where they were narrowly beaten by eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain. His spell ended in June after Monaco finished seventh in Ligue 1 and missed out on Champions League qualification.

Scotland’s Football Association selected Pocognoli after a recruitment process that chief executive Ian Maxwell described as comprehensive. Maxwell said the new manager stood out through his character, enthusiasm for the role and clear plans for the team.

Pocognoli takes over after Clarke’s period in charge delivered Scotland’s first three appearances at major tournaments this century. He has spent time examining the national team and identifying areas for improvement, while also stressing the importance of giving supporters a side they can take pride in.

The Nations League fixture in Slovenia will provide Pocognoli with his first competitive test as Scotland manager. His appointment places him in charge of the next phase of a team that had built its recent progress under Clarke but now enters a new coaching era.