Coach Steve Clarke has signed a new contract with Scotland that will keep him in charge of the team through the next two World Cups and the 2028 European Championship. At 62, Clarke's future was in doubt despite leading the team to two consecutive European qualifications and their first World Cup since 1998. With less than three weeks until Scotland begin their tournament schedule against Haiti in Boston, Clarke has committed to a further four years in charge. "I am truly honored to lead my team to our first men's World Cup in 28 years and I am proud to continue as head coach," said Clarke, who took up the role in 2019. "I know that Scotland supporters value this group's achievements in qualifying for two consecutive European Championships and I am equally sure that the entire nation celebrated our qualification for the 2026 World Cup after so long. It is very important to look forward and whilst my team will do everything they can to make America proud this summer, it is also comforting to know that we can build on these foundations for the long term. Clarke also highlighted the importance of “stability” and stressed that Scotland must “evolve and make improvements” whilst growing the “talent pipeline”. Scottish Football Association CEO Ian Maxwell added: "The passion and enthusiasm with which he discussed this plan emphasizes that this will not simply be a continuation, but a renewed purpose and focus over the next four years. Finally, the contractual dance is over and we know that Clarke will stay, not just for another two years until the next European Championship, but for four until the next World Cup. The Scottish Football Association is going all-in on the hope that Scotland will have a good World Cup. If that happens, then another four years with Clarke will look like the more sensible decision. If they fail, then we will return to the post-European dissatisfaction of 2024, when many supporters wanted a change. The Scottish Football Association will face severe criticism for committing to another four years with Clarke if things do not go well in America. Some would argue that the sensible decision would have been to wait until after the World Cup, but clearly the Scottish Football Association felt they could not do that. Wanting to stay, Clarke must have pushed for a decision before the tournament. It's important to note that his players have already expressed how much they enjoy working with him. Why ignore the opinions of Scott McTominay and John McGinn in the hope of finding someone better than Clarke? In the end, the decision was probably a relatively simple one. An end to Scotland's long wait to appear in men's major finals at the first attempt by guiding the team to the postponed 2020 European Championship via the Nations League playoffs. A failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup via a similar route followed, but Clarke's side responded with automatic qualification for Euro 2024 and confirmed their place in the USA this summer. he is also the longest-lasting, with 76 games at the helm. He has won 33, drawn 16 and lost 27 of those 76 games, which represents a win rate of 43%. This percentage rises to almost 59% when these games are restricted to competitive qualifications only, which, after this summer, have been responsible for taking the Tartan army to three tournaments. with some supporters wanting a change, so the next month will be crucial in determining whether Clarke can change the mindset of those who feel he has reached his ceiling.