Scotland manager Steve Clarke steps down after World Cup elimination

Manager Steve Clarke resigned from his role on Saturday, June 27 after the European country was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup in the group stage. Clarke, who took the reins in 2019, wrote a three-page letter announcing his departure from the team and published it on X. The Scottish FA also shared the news.

“When I was first approached by the Scottish FA about the position of Head Coach, I was advised by many people to leave well alone as the job had become a poisoned chalice,” Clarke said. “In my head I was just the wee boy from Saltcoats who had done well in his chosen profession and their country wanted me to be their leader, at least in a football sense. I couldn’t find a reason to turn the approach down. My job remit was simple: qualify for a major tournament.”

And qualify for a major tournament he did. Scotland reached the World Cup for the first time since 1998. But before that, Clarke took Scotland to the European Championship in 2020, a moment he said “was the stuff of dreams” and returned to the tournament in 2024.

“While we are all disappointed to have exited the World Cup at the group stage, we must not lose sight of the undeniable progress made during Steve’s seven years in charge,” Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA Chief Executive, said in a statement. “From starting as a pot four team in 2019 to topping our World Cup qualifying group, he has more than delivered on the remit to take Scotland back to a major tournament.

“We thank Steve for his record-breaking contribution and know that when the disappointment of World Cup elimination subsides, the Scotland supporters will be thankful for the memories of marching with pride at major tournaments once again.”

The Tartan Army brings its signature energy to the World Cup, filling the stands with color, noise and tradition.

See how Scotland’s supporters turn every match into a celebration of their team.

Above, Scotland fans cheer in the stands before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Scotland and Morocco at Boston Stadium on June 19, 2026, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

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The Tartan Army brings its signature energy to the World Cup, filling the stands with color, noise and tradition.

See how Scotland’s supporters turn every match into a celebration of their team.

Above, Scotland fans cheer in the stands before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Scotland and Morocco at Boston Stadium on June 19, 2026, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

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Scotland played in Group C where they beat Haiti 1-0 for their first World Cup win since 1990. They then lost to Morocco 0-1 and fell to heavyweight Brazil 0-3 in Neymar’s return to Seleção. They have yet to advance past the group stage in nine World Cups.

The Tartan Army delighted the world with their enthusiasm in Boston and Miami, where Scotland played their matches. Under the motto “No Scotland, No Party,” they drank Boston dry and woke up neighbors with their early morning revelry. The city and national team wrote each other love letters upon Scotland’s departure down south to play their group stage finale. Once they were in Miami, the supporters swarmed Little Havana with their kilts and bagpipes.

Making fans excited about their national team, especially since his early days at the helm were played under COVID restrictions, is part of what makes Clarke proud.

“In time I will be able to reflect on a tumultuous seven years, but one element that has given me the greatest satisfaction is witnessing the reconnection of our national team and our fans,” he said.

Maxwell also expressed gratitude for how Scotland fans represented the country on the global stage.

“On behalf of the board of the Scottish FA I would like to make special mention to our incredible supporters,” he said. “The many thousands who have traveled to the United States to celebrate the return to a World Cup – making a significant financial commitment to do so – have once again shown themselves to be exceptional ambassadors for our country and our national game.”