Clarke sure he's best man for Scots after new deal

Steve Clarke said his decision to continue as Scotland head coach followed his belief he was the best man for the role. After Scotland’s Euro 2024 disappointment, he recalled public pressure to leave, but he chose to stay after concluding he had a group capable of qualifying for the World Cup. He previously estimated his chances of continuing at around 50-50, after being about 75% sure it might be his last qualifying campaign. Clarke believes agreeing new terms before the tournament was important for stability, future Scottish football, and clear direction. He also said he understands how much players enjoy working with him and the staff, making continuation feel right.

"I've probably got a better understanding of what's next than somebody coming in fresh. That was a lot of the thinking behind it. After the last Euros, it was obviously disappointing - a lot of people were clamouring to get me out of this position. I had a good think about it. I knew I had a group of players that could qualify for a World Cup and we decided, or I decided, that was the path I would take. The qualification obviously went as well as we hoped it would."

"It keeps the stability around the position of the squad and hopefully the future of Scottish football. It gives everybody clarity moving forward. At the end of it, it was quite an easy decision because obviously I know how much the players enjoy being together. I know how they enjoy working with myself and the staff. It just felt right to continue."

"Clarke had suggested at the beginning of Scotland's World Cup qualifying programme he was around 75% sure it would probably be his last campaign. He then rated his chances of staying on as 50-50 after securing a place in this summer's finals. But this week it was announced the head coach had signed a new deal that will run until 2030, by which time he will be in post for 11 years."

"Steve Clarke says his near U-turn to continue as Scotland head coach was based on his conviction he is the best man for the job. The 62-year-old, who has also been inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame, recalled a "clamour" for him to go after Scotland's Euro 2024 disappointment before securing a World Cup place."

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