Scotland National Team | Pocognoli Era Begins Soccer

[Best]

The Scottish FA is reportedly eyeing Sebastien Pocognoli, the former head coach of Monaco, as the top contender to take over the managerial position for the Scotland national football team following Steve Clarke's departure.

The 39-year-old Belgian, who left Monaco at the end of last season, previously led Union Saint-Gilloise to a first league title 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 association'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 & Hove Albion, and earned 13 caps for Belgium.

He would become just the second foreign boss of the Scotland men's team, after German Berti Vogts.

He is said to favour an attacking 3-4-1-2 system which he himself has described as "a dominant one, with and without the ball. High pressing, counter-pressing, but also real mastery in possession".

"For me, players are artists," he added. "And for an artist to put on a good show, they must be comfortable mentally and physically."

Experience and Background:

• Former head coach of Monaco, a club with a strong reputation in European football.
• Known for his tactical knowledge and player development skills.

Potential Impact on Scotland:

• Could bring a new vision and strategy to the national team.
• Opportunity to harness young talent and improve overall team dynamics.

Fan Reactions:

• Excitement about the prospect of a new managerial approach.
• Curiosity about how his coaching style will translate to the national team.

As the Scottish FA moves forward with their decision, it will be interesting to see how Pocognoli's candidacy unfolds and what it could mean for the future of Scottish football.

 

[Dylan]

Can't say I've heard of him. Always wary of foreign managers taking over national teams but he has a fairly good CV.

Difficult job for whoever comes in, we've not got the quality in many key positions.

 

[Boot Cleaner]

He has been confirmed now.

Likewise, not familiar with him but at least they are trying something new.

The worrying thing, looking at his managerial career, he has only stayed one year in each management position.

 

[BlackEyed Pete]

Strange one. Only 20 months' experience as a manager, and that included being sacked in June. A brave choice. Let's see what happens. Hopefully he does well.

 

[Scottish Batman]

Oli McBurnie is back in the Scotland setup for the first time in five years, and new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli has gone with a squad that mixes familiar names with a big batch of fresh faces.

McBurnie, now 30, last played for Scotland in 2021 and has 16 caps. Pocognoli said the Hull City forward fits the style of play he wants, while also stressing that this first squad is about a new start and that the door is still open for others.

There are seven uncapped players in the group: Luis Binks, Colby Donovan, Jon McCracken, Josh McPake, Stephen Welsh, Luke Graham and Robbie Ure. Binks, Donovan, Graham, McPake, James Wilson, Josh Doig, Kieron Bowie and Scott Bain are among the players either earning a first call or coming back into the picture, while Che Adams misses out.

Fourteen of those named in Pocognoli's first squad were among the 28 players who went to this summer's World Cup.

Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay is unavailable as he recovers from a minor heart procedure.

Torino striker Che Adams is injured, while Rangers forward Lawrence Shankland is out for up to four months with a hamstring injury.

Gunn and Kelly; defenders Jack Hendry, Aaron Hickey, Scott McKenna, Nathan Patterson, Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney; midfielders Ryan Christie, Lewis Ferguson, John McGinn and Kenny McLean; and forwards Findlay Curtis and Ben Gannon-Doak are all retained.

Goalkeeper Craig Gordon has retired, Grant Hanley has toiled with injury at Hibernian, and Rangers defender John Souttar has not played this season.

Defenders Dominic Hyam and Ralston, midfielder Tyler Fletcher and forwards Lyndon Dykes, George Hirst and Ross Stewart also miss out.

When asked about the possibility of calling up Scotland-qualified Newcastle attacker Harvey Barnes and Everton midfielder Hayden Hackney, Pocognoli said he was "aware of everything and about the feeling of everybody" and said "it's about timing."

"I don't want to convince players," he explained. "They need to be open to representing in the natural way, the country. We'll see in the future."

Goalkeepers: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers), Jon McCracken (Bradford City)

Defenders: Luis Binks (Brondby), Josh Doig (Sassuolo), Colby Donovan (Celtic), Luke Graham (Stoke City), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Torino), Andy Robertson (Tottenham Hotspur), Kieran Tierney (Celtic), Stephen Welsh (Swansea City).

Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese).

Forwards: Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla), James Wilson (Hearts).

 

[BlackEyed Pete]

Good to see some fresh players given a chance - something that should have been done a long time ago.

 

[Dylan]

Aot of positives to take from the match against Slovenia. A different formation, some new faces, some good play but the same old story of not having someone to score goals - it is a shame both McTominay and Shankland are injured - but there are encouraging signs at the start of the Pocognoli era.

 

[Boot Cleaner]

It was refreshing to see us create so many chances and play with two up front, but not having a quality striker at international level has been our problem for decades.

 

[Steve]

We were poor in the first half but the second half was encouraging. It will be interesting to see how things progress, we've got another 3 games over the next 10 days or so. I imagine he will change things up in both personnel and formation.

As mentioned, refreshing to see us playing a different style and with some fresh faces in the team.

 

[Welshy]

Terrible result last night. Once again one of our defenders does something stupid and leaves us with an impossible mountain to climb.

I doubt we were ever going to get a result against Switzerland but we never gave ourselves a chance.