Steve Clarke signs new deal to remain as Scotland manager for World Cup 2026

Steve Clarke has signed a new deal with the Scottish FA to remain as manager until the end of the 2026 World Cup.

Clarke’s existing contract, which he signed two years ago, was scheduled to run until the conclusion of the Euro 2024 campaign which begins with a home qualifier against Cyprus on Saturday.

The experienced manager has now given the squad a boost by committing his long-term future to the job and agreeing to take on the challenge of reaching the next World Cup, which takes place across North America in three years’ time.

“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,” Clarke said.

“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.”

Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell was pleased to have secured the services of the manager who ended the men’s national team’s long exile from major tournaments when leading them to the Euro 2020 finals.

Maxwell said: “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.”