Steve Clarke will lead Scotland to their first World Cup since 1998, but is likely to play in this summer’s North American tournament with just a few months left on his contract.
Steve Clarke faces an uncertain future (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Scotland manager Steve Clarke has revealed that he has yet to be offered a new contract despite leading Scotland to their first World Cup in 28 years. Clark’s current contract with the Scottish Football Association expires at the end of this tournament, when his team will play Haiti, Morocco and Brazil in Group C.
The 62-year-old has led Scotland to three major tournaments since taking over as manager in 2019. However, his position came under scrutiny ahead of World Cup qualifiers as they finished bottom of their group at Euro 2024 and were relegated in the Nations League.
Ahead of upcoming international friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast, the former Kilmarnock and West Brom manager says the ball is in SFA’s court. Asked about his future, Clark said, “Obviously what’s on my mind is what I’m going to do next, where I’m going to go next, what I’m going to be next.”
“We’ve qualified for three of the four tournaments, which I think is a pretty decent record,” the Scot added. “Obviously we’d like to do a little bit better in the tournaments this summer, but that’s something we can deal with once we get into the game.”
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“Do the Scottish Football Association think I’m a player who can take the team to the next tournament and hopefully qualify for another World Cup in four years’ time? That’s for them to decide.
“At the moment I don’t have a choice because they haven’t put an offer in front of me and no club side has put an offer in front of me. I’m just sitting here talking to everyone and having a good time.”
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Scotland will face Haiti, Morocco and Brazil in the group stage (Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
“I will wait and see if any clubs approach me between now and the end of the season before making a decision.”
Mr Clarke went on to confirm that he had had a “very brief conversation” with SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell about future plans. Speaking about the next step, the former Chelsea and St Mirren right-back explained: “I think I’m waiting for the Scottish Football Association to come to me now and say, ‘Look, this is the future we have in mind’. If I’m part of that then we can have a discussion.”
Last month, Clarke attended the Nations League draw for the 2026-27 season. Scotland have been relegated to League B and will face Switzerland, Slovenia and North Macedonia, but the question of who will be in the dugout at Hampden Park for the start of September’s season remains unanswered.
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