Sebastien Pocognoli, the former Monaco head coach, has been identified by the Scottish FA as the leading candidate to replace Steve Clarke as Scotland manager.
Sebastien Pocognoli has emerged as the Scottish Football Association’s primary target to succeed Steve Clarke, according to reports. The 39-year-old Belgian, who parted ways with Monaco at the end of last season, is understood to be the frontrunner for the position.
Pocognoli’s stock rose dramatically after he guided Union Saint-Gilloise to their first Belgian league title in 90 years during the 2024-25 campaign. That achievement came before his brief spell in Ligue 1 with Monaco, where he was sacked in early June after just one season.
The former left-back is one of several candidates who have been interviewed by Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell and Craig Mulholland, the association’s chief football officer appointed in May. It is thought an appointment could be announced shortly, with Scotland set to play four Nations League matches beginning in Slovenia on 26 September.
During his playing days, Pocognoli spent time in English football with West Bromwich Albion and Brighton & Hove Albion, and he won 13 caps for Belgium. If appointed, he would become only the second foreign manager of the Scotland men’s team, following German Berti Vogts.
Clarke stepped down after Scotland’s group stage exit at the World Cup, ending a seven-year tenure that had begun with a new four-year deal signed in May. Steven Naismith, one of Clarke’s assistants, said last month that he expects to remain part of the national setup under a new boss.
After leaving Monaco, Pocognoli acknowledged he had learned from the experience and said he would take his time preparing for his next role “with calm and determination.” His sole season in France’s top flight ended with a seventh-place finish, having been lured from Union Saint-Gilloise in October.
It was at Union Saint-Gilloise, a progressive Belgian club within the Jamestown group that also owns Hearts, where Pocognoli built his reputation. Following a 17-year playing career as a left-back in the top divisions of England, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, he worked with the club’s youth players and also with the Belgian national setup.
In 2024, he was promoted to the senior role at USG, winning the Belgian Super Cup almost immediately before leading the club to their first league title since 1935 and a run in the Champions League. Monaco soon came calling, impressed by his bold approach to the game.
Pocognoli favours an attacking 3-4-1-2 formation, which he has described as “a dominant one, with and without the ball. High pressing, counter-pressing, but also real mastery in possession.” He has also compared his players to artists, saying: “For an artist to put on a good show, they must be comfortable mentally and physically.”
The Scottish FA have not confirmed any appointment, and Pocognoli has yet to speak publicly about the speculation. With Scotland’s Nations League campaign starting in Slovenia on 26 September, the timing suggests a decision could be reached soon.
