Scotland Men's Football Team

Sebastien Pocognoli outlines what he wants to see from his Scotland side after being appointed head coach.

We asked for your views after Sebastien Pocognoli was named the new head coach of Scotland.

Here's what some of you said:

Benjamin: It is going to be an interesting campaign coming up. Excited to see how it goes and fair play to the Scottish FA for being bold. Just hope it works out for us all, but this is Scotland and anything is possible!

Derek: I just hope that Pocognoli takes a fresh look at the players available and doesn't just pick the same old faces that have failed miserably during Steve Clarke's time as head coach. Time for new Scottish talent to get a chance.

Neil: Hopefully he helps the team progress and achieves Euro 2028 qualification. That has to be the benchmark post-Clarke. Solidifying our defensive system has to be a priority, ensuring the team doesn't put itself under early pressure by losing early goals like it did in the World Cup. He will have a rebuild job to do, but there's no reason to believe that Scotland cannot build on Clarke's legacy with a good crop of younger players.

Roshan: I'm genuinely intrigued by this one. The appointment isn't the predictable, conservative SFA choice like we've seen in the past. They've gone outside Scotland, gone young, and appointed somebody who potentially brings a genuinely different footballing philosophy. I'm excited.

Thomas: It's hard to make a judgement on Pocognoli because most Scots have never heard of him. A really left-field appointment. I do, though, hope he shakes things up and doesn't just stick with guys that have proven they can't take us up to the next level.

Gordon: I hope this guy can instil a new style into the team. Clarke's football was dreadful to watch and I know he got results but... Hopefully this new boss can create a new atmosphere in the squad, developing younger players and playing attacking football.

Image source, Getty Images

Sebastien Pocognoli's working-class roots and charismatic personality will quickly endear him to the Tartan Army, predicts Belgian football expert Scott Coyne.

The former Monaco and Union Saint-Gilloise head coach has been named just the second foreign boss of the Scotland men's national team, replacing Steve Clarke.

However, Scottish podcaster Coyne expects 'Poco' to "click quite quickly" with a passionate support with his "very intense" but "very approachable" character.

"He comes from a working-class background just outside Liege, to an Italian family who were immigrants to Belgium," Coyne said on BBC Radio Scotland.

"Just like there are a lot of Scots Italians, there are a lot of Belgian Italians. There are a lot of cultural commonalities there that I think will help him quickly.

"Regardless of results, I think he will click quite quickly with the fans."

Coyne added that Pocognoli endured a challenging period at Monaco, where he was sacked earlier this summer after just eight months in charge, and praised the Scottish FA for securing a deal for the "pragmatic, adaptable and flexible" 39-year-old while interest was bubbling away elsewhere.

"Timing is very important with all things in football and the SFA deserve a lot of credit here," he added. "They've moved very fast to get a very exciting young coach who has become available at short notice.

"A lot of people have been keeping an eye on Poco. He was part of some private conversations among the Belgian FA in recent weeks before they appointed Mark van Bommel.

"He's someone a lot of people have been keeping a close eye on. I think he's been surprised by this opportunity, but he will think he's got the tools to take Scotland to another level."

Image source, Getty Images

Hearts boss Wouter Vrancken has backed fellow Belgian Sebastien Pocognoli to succeed as Scotland manager.

The 39-year-old former Monaco and Union Saint-Gilloise head coach has been announced as Steve Clarke's successor on a two-year deal.

Vrancken, who took over at Scottish Premiership side Hearts, played with Pocognoli at Genk around 20 years ago and were also on the books of the same club as coaches in the 2022-23 season before facing off as adversaries in the Belgian top flight.

"I know him pretty well because I played with him two years as a player, he was a young player at that moment," former Sint-Truiden boss Vrancken said.

"And he was under-18 coach when I was in Genk as first-team coach, so I know him a bit. I know him just as a good guy.

"I know his style of play because we managed against each other when he was at Union, and he did really well there. And let's hope that he can work with the national team.

"His style of play can work with Scotland I think. His style of play is also pretty physical, direct, so I think it's a good match."

Scotland fans, what do you make of Pocognoli's appointment? Have your say via this link

Image source, Getty Images

Sebastien Pocognoli is set to be paraded as new Scotland head coach at Hampden at the start of next week. Former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was also interviewed for the job. (Scottish Sun), external

Read Saturday's Scottish football gossip

Image source, SNS

Former Union Saint-Gilloise and Monaco head coach Sebastien Pocognoli, 39, is set to become the new manager of Scotland. (Sun, external)

Pocognoli is the frontrunner to replace Steve Clarke after the Scottish FA worked through a shortlist. (Herald - subscription required, external)

Saturday's Scottish gossip

Torino president Urbano Cairo insists the Serie A club have no intention of selling Che Adams this summer despite the Scotland striker, 30, being linked with promoted Venezia and clubs in the Championship. (Record, external)

Saturday's Scottish gossip

German and Scottish clubs as well as Stoke City and other Championship outfits are interested in Ipswich Town's Scotland forward George Hirst, 27. (Ben Jacobs, external)

Friday's Scottish gossip

Sassuolo have agreed to pay Hellas Verona £10m plus future add-ons for Scotland striker Kieron Bowie, while the 23-year-old has agreed a five-year-contract with the Serie A club. (Daily Record, external)

Bologna are set to meet with Lewis Ferguson to iron out his future at the club with new head coach Domenico Tedesco keen to retain the 26-year-old Scotland midfielder amid interest from Rangers and clubs around Europe. (Il Resto del Carlino, external)

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester City and Swansea City are leading the race to sign John Souttar, with the 29-year-old Scotland centre-half certain to end his four years with Rangers. (Rangers Review, external)

Everton, whose 24-year-old Scotland right-back, Nathan Patterson, is drawing strong interest from clubs in Germany, Italy and Spain, are preparing to firm up their interest in Celtic 27-year-old Alistair Johnston. (The Herald, external)

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

Image source, Getty Images

Steven Naismith expects to continue in the Scotland set-up under the next national team head coach and says he is ready to help in any capacity.

Steve Clarke stood down after Scotland failed to progress from the group stages at this summer's World Cup after seven years in charge. The search for his successor is ongoing.

Naismith - who was appointed as Clarke's assistant in 2025 - previously managed Hearts.

"The conversations have all been that I'll be involved somewhere," Naismith told Sky Sports.

"The next manager has to be someone with a bit of experience and can progress what has been done.

"I'm ready to help wherever it may be. Over the last two or three years, I've done a lot on the coach education side and went through my pro licence as well.

"I do feel as though I've got some skills in all these areas to contribute. Whatever I need to do in the short term, I will do because I want to make Scotland as good as it can be."

Naismith said a deal for Everton boss David Moyes - who has been linked with the vacancy - is "unlikely".

"David Moyes is one of the best Scottish managers the country has produced," he said.

"That's probably unlikely because he's gone into Everton at a time where that needs a big rebuild.

"He's a fantastic manager and before he retires I'm pretty sure we will see him in the Scotland dugout."