GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — Scotland hired Sébastien Pocognoli as its new coach on Sunday to replace Steve Clarke, who stepped down from the role after the team was eliminated from the World Cup without advancing from its group.
Pocognoli, a former Belgium international, was fired by Monaco on June 1 after a seventh-place finish in the French league and missing out on Champions League qualification.
The 39-year-old Pocognoli signed a two-year deal that takes him through to the European Championship in 2028 that Scotland is co-hosting.
He was described by the Scottish FA as "one of Europe's brightest emerging coaching talents," with his big success being leading Union Saint-Gilloise to its first Belgian league ****** le in 90 years in 2025.
"When I first heard of the interest, I was immediately excited about the opportunity," said Pocognoli, who underlined how impressed he was by the passion of Scotland's supporters that was on show during the country's first World Cup appearance in 28 years.

#Scotland #league #first #glasgow

Sébastien Pocognoli has been appointed Scotland's new men's head coach, signing a two-year contract to succeed Steve Clarke.
The 39-year-old Belgian takes charge after a short spell at Monaco, where he was dismissed at the end of last season following a seventh-placed finish in Ligue 1.
Despite that setback, Pocognoli arrives with an impressive achievement on his CV, having guided Union Saint-Gilloise to their first Belgian league **** le in 90 years during the 2024-25 campaign.
Pocognoli will become only the second overseas manager to take charge of Scotland, following in the footsteps of Berti Vogts, who led the national side between 2002 and 2004.
His appointment comes after Clarke ended a seven-year spell in charge in June, following Scotland's failure to progress from the group stage at the World Cup.

#monaco

Former Monaco head coach Sebastien Pocognoli has been confirmed as Scotland men's new head coach.
The 39-year-old Belgian, who replaces Steve Clarke, left Monaco at the end of last season and previously led Union Saint-Gilloise to a first league ****** le in 90 years in 2024-25.
Pocognoli spent time in England during his playing career, turning out for West Bromwich Albion and Brighton & Hove Albion and earned 13 caps for Belgium.
He becomes just the second foreign boss of the Scotland men's team, after German Berti Vogts.
Clarke - who had signed a new four-year deal in May - resigned following the group-stage exit at the World Cup, ending his seven-year tenure.

#pocognoli #Scotland

Former Monaco head coach Sebastien Pocognoli has been identified by the Scottish FA as their prime candidate to replace Steve Clarke.
The 39-year-old Belgian, who left Monaco at the end of last season, previously led Union Saint-Gilloise to a first league ******* le in 90 years in 2024/25.
Pocognoli is one of several candidates to have been spoken to by Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell and Craig Mulholland, who was appointed as the ******* ociation's chief football officer in May.
And it is thought an appointment could be imminent, with Scotland returning to action in the Nations League with a four-game block of fixtures, starting in Slovenia on 26 September.
Pocognoli spent time in England during his playing career, turning out for West Bromwich Albion and Brighton, and earned 13 caps for Belgium.

#scottish