Steve Clarke has agreed an extended deal with Scotland.
The national team boss has put pen to paper on a new agreement until 2026 in a major boost to the Tartan Army ahead of the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying double-header against Cyprus and Spain at Hampden Park. The new terms take him up until after the FIFA World Cup campaign which will be held in Canada, Mexico and United States.
Scotland enjoyed a stunning Nations League campaign last time out that earned promotion to Group A and with that a guaranteed Euro play-off to fall back on if required. The Dark Blues boss already has his eyes firmly set on reaching the Euros finals once again after ended a long wait to return to major tournament football at UEFA Euro 2020.
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On the big news, he said: “I am proud that my coaching team and I will continue to lead the team through the next two qualifying campaigns, as well as Nations League Group A, but being able to do so is a testament to the squad of players who have been central to our improvement.
“The immediate focus is ensuring a positive start to our Euros campaign against Cyprus, who were the opposition for my first match in charge in 2019.
“When we named our squad for the double-header, I spoke with my coaches about how the quality and depth of the squad has evolved in those four years. We now have an experienced core who have been constants throughout, but we have also added quality and competition in every area of the team.
“We also played that game in front of around 30,000 fans and will walk out on Saturday, and Tuesday against Spain, to a full house at Hampden Park. It’s imperative that we keep the fans and the nations engaged and entertained and that is something we are all committed to achieving through winning games and qualifying for more major tournaments, starting with Germany next year.”
Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA Chief Executive: “This has been one of the easiest decisions and conversations during my time as Chief Executive. Steve has united the nation behind a successful men’s national team and as we look forward to a new UEFA EURO 2024 campaign, it was important we demonstrated our commitment to Steve and his backroom team, and acknowledged the continuity that has been key to our improvement in the past four years.
“I know how determined the squad are to return to a major final after experiencing EURO 2020 and while everyone was disappointed not to have reached the World Cup in Qatar last December, securing promotion to Nations League Group A was another sign of the undeniable progress made.
“I’m sure the fans will share the Scottish FA’s excitement and we wish Steve and his squad all the best for the forthcoming double-header.”
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