Steve Clarke, the former Scotland manager, has revealed that the Scottish Football Association (SFA) agreed to a new contract for him under pressure, describing their actions as a 'panic' before the team's World Cup campaign. Clarke, speaking for the first time since stepping down following Scotland's group stage elimination, stated that he had always planned to resign if the team did not progress.
Clarke, 63, was handed a four-year contract extension just before the World Cup tournament. He explained that when no new contract had been offered by March, he believed the SFA was waiting to assess the tournament's outcome. To gain control of his narrative, he initiated media discussions in March to prompt the SFA. Negotiations for the new contract took place from April until just before the Curacao game in May.
"I said to them if we don’t agree a new contract before we go to the World Cup then I will say I am leaving the job. They panicked a little bit and gave me the new contract," Clarke stated. He characterized the contract negotiations as difficult, comparing them to "drawing teeth."
Clarke reiterated that his intention was always to step down if Scotland failed to advance from their group, which included Haiti, Morocco, and Brazil. "I always knew in my head that if we did not get out of the group stage then I would probably leave. The only way I would have stayed on is if they had been three fantastic games and they went against you," he said.
Scotland began their World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Haiti but subsequently lost by the same score to Morocco. A 3-0 defeat against Brazil in their final group match left their progression hopes dependent on other results. Clarke recalled the anxious wait after the Brazil game, knowing they were likely heading home due to an insufficient goal difference.
Following the defeat to Brazil, Clarke spoke with senior players and concluded that a new voice was needed for the team to achieve progress in major tournaments. He also mentioned speaking with the new head coach, Sebastien Pocognoli, and expressed optimism about Scotland's chances of qualifying for Euro 2028, given that two automatic spots will be reserved for hosts who have not qualified through the traditional routes.