Steve Clarke QUITS as Scotland boss just minutes after World Cup exit confirmed as he breaks silence to Tartan Army

STEVE CLARKE has sensationally QUIT as Scotland boss. The 62-year-old has shocked the country by stepping down after his side’s failure to qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup. Clarke was given a new four-year deal by the SFA prior to the tournament but in a stunning twist, he has walked away from the job before he and the squad even left North America. The former West Brom, Reading and Kilmarnock head coach leaves with a win ratio of 44.4 per cent from his time in the dugout. He won 36 matches, drawing 16 and losing 29 – and the 81 games he had in charge is the most of any Scotland manager. Clarke took over in May 2019 and would go on to end the nation’s major tournament drought by leading us to qualification for Euro 2020. His team were beaten in the play-offs for the 2022 World Cup by Ukraine but returned to elite competition at the Euros in Germany in 2024. But his greatest achievement was taking Scotland – and its famous Tartan Army fan base – back to the World Cup for the first time since 1998. A statement from Hampden read: “Steve Clarke has stepped down as Scotland Men’s Head Coach. “The country’s most successful national coach has called time on his seven years in charge following confirmation of Scotland’s exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Most read in Football OUR BEST FREE BETS & SIGN-UP OFFERS “Steve led Scotland to its first men’s World Cup in 28 years – following back-to-back UEFA EURO qualifications – and started the campaign with a 1-0 victory against Haiti. Defeats to Morocco and Brazil consigned Scotland to third place in the group and elimination from the tournament.” In a lengthy and emotional n open letter to the Tartan Army, Clarke said: “When I was first approached by the Scottish FA about the position of Head Coach I was advised by many people to leave well alone as the job had become a poisoned chalice. “In my head I was just the wee boy from Saltcoats who had done well in his chosen profession and my country wanted me to be their leader, at least in a football sense. I couldn’t find a reason to turn the approach down. My job remit was simple: qualify for a major tournament. “As I reflect on my seven years in the job my overriding emotion is pride, closely followed by satisfaction, to be the first coach since Craig Brown, in 1998, to lead the country to the finals of a major tournament was the stuff of dreams. “That night in Belgrade with no supporters in the stadium due to Covid was an experience of pure, raw emotion from start to finish. It gave the nation some welcome cheer from the restrictions of the pandemic. “Although the tournament was, for us at least, a bit of a damp squib, there was an unforgettable night at Wembley when we more than matched the eventual beaten finalists England and held them to a 0-0 win! The biggest disappointment of thet tournament was the absence of the Tartan Army in their tens of thousands. “Roll on three years and we did it again, this time overseas in a great footballing country, Germany. With no Covid restrictions this time the Tartan Army made sure they were there in even greater numbers than ever before after all, it was a 20-year wait for the older members of the battalion. “Again we came up short in the matches but a marker had been set and a new generation of Scotland supporters took my squad to their hearts. Qualify and they will come in their thousands. While emotions are new following our elimination, I genuinely believe that if we continue to qualify regularly for these tournaments, we will inevitably break the glass ceiling of reaching the knockout phase. “Winning our group from a position as third seeds is a truly remarkable achievement from a remarkable bunch of players that I have been lucky enough to lead. The campaign was difficult against quality opposition but time and time again we found a way to get the required points culminating in the most incredible Scotland game ever seen at Hampden Park in a 4-2 win versus Denmark. “In time I will be able to reflect on a tumultuous seven years but one element that has given me the greatest satisfaction is witnessing the reconnection of our national team and our fans. “From my opening game against Cyprus in front a half-empty Hampden Park and a largely apathetic crowd to the frenzy of such unforgettable matches as our 2-0 defent to Spain and that memorable night against Denmark. “The were magical occasions, nights that will endure in Scottish football folklore. This reconnection was never more evident than during the past few weeks. From Miami to Boston and New Jersey our fans won the hearts and minds of the American public and football fans across the world. “Let us not forget that the players won a World Cup finals match for only the fifth time in Scottish football history, and the first for 36 years. The team were responsible for giving everyone the chance to create memories that will last a lifetime and I am proud to have played a part in that. “As I conclude my reflection on a wonderful seven years I really need to thank my ever-changing coaching staff who have all helped me immensely: Alex Dyer, Steven Reid and Stevie Woods initially; followed by Jahn Carver, Steven Naismith and Chris Woods as the key men by my side. Austin MacPhee and James Morrison joined us to help the push to Euro 2024, then Alan Irvine, who brought great experience to our group, and Andrew Hughes joined the team to help clinch our World Cup 2026 qualification, All good coaches but even better people. “The auxiliary staff [too many to mention but they know who they are] who did the match analysis, medical, sports science, kit, logistics and media. When I started the Head of Performance, Graeme Jones, was my go-to with any problem or issue and we worked well together in implementing our off-field progress with facilities and structure. When Graeme departed for pastures new, Mark Leselle stepped-up seamlessly to continue that push for higher standards off the pitch, reflected in our preparation for World Cup 2028. “Thank you to both my administrative support staff for looking after me so attentively: firstly Frank Reilly who, after a long walt, represented his country when we qualified for Euro 2020 before retiring a happy man. Ashley Phillip replaced Frank and continued to support me on top of her other duties with the Scottish FA. “Thank you to my two Presidents, the sadly deported Rod Petrie, and Mike Muinaney both of whom supported me in their own particular way. Two good men with the best interests of Scottish football at heart. “Thanks also to Chief Executive lan Maxwell for putting his head on the chopping block and making me his first Head Coach appointment and to the board who always listened to me when I made my requests for help in trying to improve facilities and matters concerning the team and players. “The most emotional part of this goodbye is for my players, without whom we wouldn’t have had any of the memories that we’ve accumulated from 2019 until now. From our captain Andy Robertson with 97 caps to those at the start of their journey with the national team, almost every player that has been called upon in my time se Head Coach has turned up and given everything for their country, hence a period of sustained improvement for our national team. “I quite quickly realised that continuity and familiarity would help these players to bond with each other and my staff. leading them to understand what is needed to be more successful at international level. They deserve all the praise and adulation that they receive and it was truly an honour to be called their Gaffer. “Thanks for having me and good luck to my successor.” And in a nod to his famous speech when departing Rugby Park as Killie boss, he signed off: “Bye-Bye, Scotland!” Ian Maxwell, SFA chief executive, added: “While we are all disappointed to have exited the World Cup at the group stage, we must not lose sight of the undeniable progress made during Steve’s seven years in charge. “From starting as a pot four team in 2019 to topping our World Cup qualifying group, he has more than delivered on the remit to take Scotland back to a major tournament. “We thank Steve for his record-breaking contribution and know that when the disappointment of World Cup elimination subsides, the Scotland supporters will be thankful for the memories of marching with pride at major tournaments once again. “Finally, on behalf of the board of the Scottish FA I would like to make special mention to our incredible supporters. “The many thousands who have travelled to the United States to celebrate the return to a World Cup – making a significant financial commitment to do so – have once again shown themselves to be exceptional ambassadors for our country and our national game.” Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page