Scotland manager Steve Clarke signed a four-year contract extension on Thursday as he prepares to lead his country to their first World Cup since 1998.
Clarke’s new deal will keep him in charge through the 2028 European Championship and the 2030 World Cup, ending months of speculation over his future.
The 62-year-old, whose previous contract was due to expire in July, has enjoyed a largely successful reign, recording 35 wins and 14 draws from 76 matches.
After hinting that clubs had made initial approaches to him during the Scotland negotiations, Clarke admitted he was relieved to secure a long-term commitment ahead of the World Cup.
“I am truly honoured to lead my squad into our first men’s World Cup in 28 years and I’m proud to continue as head coach,” he said.
“It’s very important to look ahead and plan for the future and, while my squad will be doing everything in their power to compete and make the country proud in America this summer, it also gives us certainty ahead of the tournament.
“We can look to build on those foundations for the long term and it is a privilege to continue in this role.”
Clarke, a former West Brom, Reading and Kilmarnock manager, was appointed Scotland boss in 2019 and made an immediate impact, leading them to the delayed 2021 European Championship.
That was Scotland’s first major tournament since the 1998 World Cup, but they bowed out at the group stage without a win in three matches.
Clarke’s side missed out on qualification for the 2022 World Cup after losing to Ukraine in the play-offs.
They bounced back to qualify for Euro 2024 after an impressive campaign that included a victory over Spain.
Again, Scotland were unable to secure a group-stage win at a major tournament under Clarke, exiting after defeats to Germany and Hungary.
A dramatic victory over Denmark in their final qualifier sealed Scotland’s place at this year’s World Cup in North America, giving Clarke another opportunity to end the country’s wait to reach the knockout stage of a major tournament for the first time.
“His record speaks for itself: three tournament qualifications out of four, including consecutive European Championship appearances and, of course, an imminent World Cup return after nearly three decades,” Scottish Football Association chief executive Ian Maxwell said.
“During our discussions about the future, we were all agreed that we cannot rest on our achievements or ever take qualification for granted.
“The passion and enthusiasm with which he discussed that road map emphasise that this will not simply be a continuation, but a renewed purpose and focus over the next four years.”
Scotland face Haiti in their World Cup Group C opener on June 14 before taking on Morocco and Brazil.
AFP
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