World Cup 2026: What does the ‘monster job’ of Scotland’s next head coach look like?

At the time of Clarke’s appointment in May 2019, Scotland were looking for someone who could do a major job – getting the country back into a major men’s tournament for the first time since 1998.

That has been achieved, multiple times. So success in reaching the knockout stages and qualifying for three finals will be the limit for his successor.

Obviously that’s easier said than done. Clarke has done a fantastic job of strengthening the squad and country, instilling a much-appreciated club-like spirit, which certainly contributed to the qualification success.

This is something that must be encouraged when developing the make-up of a squad that was one of the oldest in the World Cup.

But something else is needed. Clarke was a realist at heart and while he set the team up in a more attacking formation in the win over Haiti, in particular, it never really felt like the shackles were off.

Should the next manager be someone with a more aggressive policy? You’d think that would be welcomed by the supporters, many of whom are frustrated by successive Euros and now World Cup exits without really getting their hands on the opposition.

“It’s been a special, special team. And he’s got the best of them,” said former Scotland winger Pat Nevin, a close friend of Clarke’s.

“But many of them won’t last. I know 40 seems young for a World Cup player these days. In reality, it’s not.

“It’s not clear who the next group of players are. So whoever comes in, it’s really a giant’s job.”