Scotland manager Steve Clarke stepped down Sunday after the team failed to advance from the group stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
The Scottish Football Association announced through its official channels that Clarke was leaving his post.
"Steve Clarke, the most successful manager in Scotland's history, has resigned," the association said. "Scotland's elimination from the North America World Cup brings to an end his seven-year tenure as national team manager."
Clarke had guided Scotland to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years. The team finished third in Group C with one win and two losses — three points — but failed to secure one of the eight round-of-32 berths awarded to the best third-place finishers across all groups.
Scotland beat Haiti 1-0 on June 14, then lost 1-0 to Morocco on June 20 and were routed 3-0 by Brazil on June 25. The results left them with a goal difference of minus-3, not enough to finish among the top eight third-place sides.
Clarke stepped down immediately after elimination was confirmed. "Without the players, none of the memories we have built from 2019 to now would have been possible," he said. "It has been a genuine honor to be called their manager."
yjc@heraldcorp.com
