Pocognoli begins Scotland reign with youthful overhaul — patience needed
September 26, 2026 11:20
Sebastien Pocognoli has taken charge of Scotland, replacing Steve Clarke after a seven-year spell, and begun his reign with a clear youth injection and several new faces in the squad. The 39-year-old has already earned goodwill by changing personnel and overseeing intensive training during the La Manga camp in Spain.
KEY CONTEXT
Clarke led Scotland to three major tournaments but left amid criticism of his style. Pocognoli inherits a side that remains led by experienced figures such as captain Andy Robertson, who met the new manager for dinner and multiple conversations before camp and has said the new additions bring "energy and enthusiasm".
Pocognoli has described the "foundations" as being in place. His squad selection is notably different: 12 players in the group were not part of the recent World Cup squad in the United States, and eight squad members are yet to win a first cap. New inclusions named in the selection include Sevilla striker Robbie Ure, Brondby captain Luis Binks and late call-up Kristi Montgomery, while Oli McBurnie has returned to the national setup. James Wilson and Findlay Curtis, who have both previously been capped by Clarke, were released to the under-21s for their Azerbaijan match.
MANAGERIAL PROFILE AND STYLE
Pocognoli is relatively inexperienced as a coach, with 107 games in charge during spells at Union Saint-Gilloise and Monaco, and a playing career that brought him 13 caps for Belgium. Observers expect his team to adopt a more aggressive approach, with the sweeping assumption being a 3-4-3 system aimed at high pressing and attacking intent. Training in Spain featured high-intensity sessions that left players visibly exhausted as they pushed to stake a claim for starting places.
WHY IT MATTERS
Scotland are co-hosts of Euro 2028, a factor the coverage notes alters expectations around qualification, and the SFA has signalled a strategic shift towards youth under chief football officer Craig Mulholland. The new manager’s early selection choices and the integration of young players will shape perceptions of whether Pocognoli’s style and substance can match the goodwill he has received.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Pocognoli will take charge for the first time away to Slovenia in the Nations League as he begins to put his ideas into practice in competitive fixtures.