Steve Clarke announced his departure as Scotland coach shortly after it was confirmed that the country would not advance to the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup. This announcement comes at a time of transition, as Scotland did not qualify after a mixed performance in the group stage. The Scots started the competition with optimism, achieving a victory against Haiti in the opening round. However, the team suffered subsequent defeats against Morocco and Brazil, finishing third in the group. With three points and a negative goal difference, Scotland missed out on the knockout stage, leading Clarke to announce his departure. The coach, who has been in charge of the national team since 2019, ends his career as the most successful in Scottish history, having guided the team in 81 games, with an average of 1.58 points per game. Before taking charge of the national team, Clarke was an assistant at clubs such as Aston Villa, Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle United.