The Scotland job in 2026 looks vastly different from when Steve Clarke took over in 2019. Back then, the team had suffered humiliation in Kazakhstan and hadn't reached a major finals in two decades. Under Clarke, Scotland qualified for three of four tournaments, including back-to-back European Championships and a World Cup. New boss Sebastian Pocognoli is expected to maintain this success while shifting the playing style. SFA chief football officer Craig Mulholland says Pocognoli "will bring an aggressive, front-foot style of play that will excite supporters," aiming to "evolve from a position of strength." The Belgian describes his approach as "a dominant one, with and without the ball," emphasizing intense pressing and "real mastery in possession."

Patience may be needed as international coaches lack club-level training time. Pocognoli's youth coaching experience with Belgium and academies at USG and Genk appealed to the SFA. Scotland's core — captain Andy Robertson, John McGinn, Scott McTominay — remains at Europe's top level, with Clarke insisting they are "not finished yet." However, Pocognoli must refresh an aging squad ahead of the 2028 Euros Scotland co-hosts. Young talents like Ben Gannon-Doak, 20, Findlay Curtis, 19, Lennon Miller, Kieron Bowie, 23, and Robbie Ure, 22 — who recently joined Sevilla after a prolific spell in Sweden — offer hope for the future.