The Scottish Football Association (SFA) is moving to appoint Sébastien Pocognoli as the successor to Steve Clarke, with an official announcement expected early next week. Pocognoli, 39, was most recently employed by Monaco before his departure in June. His potential appointment signals a significant change in direction for the national team, as he would become the first non-Scottish manager to lead the squad since Berti Vogts held the position between 2002 and 2004.

The search for a new manager follows the abrupt exit of Steve Clarke, whose tenure concluded after Scotland failed to progress past the group stage of the World Cup. Clarke’s departure was particularly notable given that he had signed a four-year contract extension just before the tournament began. Following the team's elimination, it became evident that the SFA was prioritizing international candidates for the role. Before settling on Pocognoli, the organization was linked to other foreign coaches, including Jon Dahl Tomasson and Kasper Hjulmand.

While the transition is framed as a "fresh approach" by the SFA, the decision to hire a foreign manager is a departure from recent norms. The appointment is expected to be finalized within the coming days, marking a new chapter for Scottish football as they look to move past the disappointment of their recent World Cup performance.