Football Mar 20, 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

Liverpool: Arne Slot has a 'really difficult' task to try and win Reds fans back says Jamie Carragher

Liverpool: Arne Slot has a 'really difficult' task to try and win Reds fans back says Jamie Carragher

Liverpool boss Arne Slot will find it "really difficult" to get the Reds fans back on side, according to Jamie Carragher.Slot's team were held to a 1-...

Arsenal vs Man City: Should Pep Guardiola start out-of-form Erling Haaland in League Cup final at Wembley?

Arsenal vs Man City: Should Pep Guardiola start out-of-form Erling Haaland in League Cup final at Wembley?

Pep Guardiola has tried various different tactical tweaks in an attempt to unlock Manchester City's creative side this season. Some out of necessity,...

Carabao Cup final: Paul Merson says Arsenal winning at Wembley would give them belief to win quadruple - and determine Pep Guardiola's Man City future

Carabao Cup final: Paul Merson says Arsenal winning at Wembley would give them belief to win quadruple - and determine Pep Guardiola's Man City future

Paul Merson has claimed the Carabao Cup final could give Arsenal the belief they can win the quadruple - and determine the future of Pep Guardiola at...

Liam Rosenior reacts to Chelsea's 3-0 defeat to Everton as he calls it most disappointing so far: 'I'm still learning'

Liam Rosenior reacts to Chelsea's 3-0 defeat to Everton as he calls it most disappointing so far: 'I'm still learning'

Liam Rosenior described on Saturday evening as “the most disappointing evening so far” as his side succumbed to a fourth consecutive defeat.Two goals...

Hearts 1-0 Dundee: Oisin McEntee scores winner as Derek McInnes' side extend lead at top of Scottish Premiership

Hearts 1-0 Dundee: Oisin McEntee scores winner as Derek McInnes' side extend lead at top of Scottish Premiership

Oisin McEntee left it late to score a priceless winner for 10-man Hearts in the race for the Scottish Premiership title, beating Dundee 1-0 in a scruf...

Rangers 4-1 Aberdeen: Danny Röhl's side respond to league leaders Hearts with confident win

Rangers 4-1 Aberdeen: Danny Röhl's side respond to league leaders Hearts with confident win

Rangers leapfrogged Celtic to move second in the Scottish Premiership with a compelling 4-1 win over lowly Aberdeen. With leaders winning earlier on...