Sebastien Pocognoli reportedly close to be announced as Scotland boss

An update on who could be the next manager of the Scotland national side

Former Monaco head coach Sebastien Pocognoli has emerged as the Scottish FA's leading candidate to replace Steve Clarke.

Author | Palvinder Singh

The 39-year-old Belgian, who left Monaco at the end of last season, previously guided Union Saint-Gilloise to their first league title in 90 years during the 2024-25 campaign.

Pocognoli is understood to be one of several candidates who have held talks with Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell and Craig Mulholland, who was appointed the association's chief football officer in May.

An appointment could be made soon, with Scotland due back in Nations League action for a four-match run beginning away to Slovenia on 26 September.

Pocognoli spent part of his playing career in England with West Bromwich Albion and Brighton & Hove Albion, while he won 13 caps for Belgium.

If appointed, he would become only the second foreign manager of the Scotland men's team, following Germany's Berti Vogts.

Clarke, who signed a new four-year contract in May, resigned following Scotland's group-stage exit at the World Cup, bringing his seven-year spell in charge to an end.

Steven Naismith, one of Clarke's assistants, said last month that he expected to remain part of the national team set-up under the new manager.