Football Mar 26, 2026

Scotland: Steve Clarke open to staying as head coach but wants future decided before World Cup in USA

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Scotland: Steve Clarke open to staying as head coach but wants future decided before World Cup in USA

Steve Clarke is warming to the idea of staying on as Scotland head coach - if he has the option.

The 62-year-old feels the ball is in the court of the Scottish Football Association and revealed he has only had initial, informal talks with chief executive Ian Maxwell.

Clarke, who took over in May 2019 and has led Scotland to three tournaments out of four, is out of contract after the World Cup this summer - and has floated the idea of a return to club management too.

"I've had a very brief conversation with Ian [Maxwell] about what they want to do moving forward, but from the last time we spoke, nothing concrete to say this is happening or that's happening," he said.

"I'm really comfortable about that. Obviously, you need to think about it.

"Listen, we had an open conversation, I think I said it a way back, 25 [per cent chance I stay] - 75 [per cent chance I leave]. [I would] probably go 50-50 now.

"I'm waiting on the Scottish FA now to come to me and say, look, this is what we see as the future and, if I'm part of that, then we can have that discussion."

The former West Brom, Reading and Kilmarnock manager added: "I've qualified for three tournaments out of four. I think that's a pretty decent record. Obviously, I'd like to do a little bit better in a tournament this summer, but that's something that we can address when we get out there.

"The Scottish FA have got to think a little bit about what's next for them. Do they think that I'm the guy that can go forward and progress the squad into the next tournament and hopefully set us up for a further World Cup qualification in four years' time? That's what they have to decide.

"I've just got to sit and wait and see if any club jobs.... if anybody approaches me between now and the end of the season, and then I'll have a decision to make. At the moment, I don't have a decision to make."

Clarke hopes to get his future sorted before heading off to the World Cup in June, knowing that clubs who are looking for managers want to make plans for pre-season and the next campaign.

"From my point of view, I'd quite like it settled," he said. "I've always wanted to go to a World Cup in my country, so I've now done that. The thing for me is, do the Scottish FA want to keep me to try and go further and further and get more qualifications? That's what they have to decide.

"Like I say, at the moment I don't really have a choice to make because they haven't put an offer in front of me and none of the club sides have put an offer in front of me either."

Tags:

football news

Share this article

Related Posts

St Mirren 0-1 Rangers: Tuur Rommens goal moves Gers to within three points of Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts

St Mirren 0-1 Rangers: Tuur Rommens goal moves Gers to within three points of Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts

A nervy Rangers moved to within three points of leaders Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a drab 1-0 win over St Mirren at the SMiSA...

Manchester United 3-1 Aston Villa: Bruno Fernandes masterclass helps Michael Carrick's side take control of Champions League qualification race

Manchester United 3-1 Aston Villa: Bruno Fernandes masterclass helps Michael Carrick's side take control of Champions League qualification race

Manchester United took control of the race for Champions League qualification after beating Aston Villa 3-1 at Old Trafford to open up a three-point b...

Kilmarnock 1-0 Hearts: League leaders drop vital points in title race with Rugby Park loss

Kilmarnock 1-0 Hearts: League leaders drop vital points in title race with Rugby Park loss

Leaders Hearts dropped three valuable points in the Scottish Premiership title race as they lost 1-0 to an inspired Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. Michael...

Crystal Palace 0-0 Leeds United: Dominic Calvert-Lewin misses penalty before Gabriel Gudmundsson red card in dramatic goalless draw

Crystal Palace 0-0 Leeds United: Dominic Calvert-Lewin misses penalty before Gabriel Gudmundsson red card in dramatic goalless draw

Dominic Calvert-Lewin missed a penalty and Gabriel Gudmundsson was sent off in a chaotic five-minute spell before half-time as Leeds and Crystal Palac...

Max Dowman may have delivered Arsenal's season-defining moment but where's Chelsea's Plan B? Premier League hits and misses

Max Dowman may have delivered Arsenal's season-defining moment but where's Chelsea's Plan B? Premier League hits and misses

It was amazing to witness the scenes of celebration for Max Dowman's historic goal against Everton. The 16-year-old was mobbed by delirious team-mate...

Man City held to goalless WSL draw at Aston Villa, Arsenal win at London City and Liverpool pile pressure on Leicester

Man City held to goalless WSL draw at Aston Villa, Arsenal win at London City and Liverpool pile pressure on Leicester

Runaway leaders Manchester City stuttered in their quest to move closer to the Women's Super League title as they were held to a frustrating goalless...