Steve Clarke has brought his time as Scotland manager to an end, insisting the decision to step away was the right one after leading the national team back to three major tournaments.

The 61-year-old confirmed his departure following Scotland’s World Cup campaign, ending a memorable seven-year spell in charge that saw the national side qualify for consecutive European Championships and reach their first World Cup finals since 1998.

Speaking after making the decision, Clarke admitted missing out on progressing from the group stage at a third straight major tournament was the deciding factor in his decision to leave.

“I’m good,” Clarke said. “Obviously, when I’m going into the tournament, I know the levels that I want the team to reach. We didn’t quite get there.

“I’ve had a great journey as Scotland head coach. Three major tournaments, worked with the most fantastic group of players, and it just feels like the right time to step away.”

Clarke revealed that, before signing his latest contract extension, he had already considered that this World Cup could represent the end of his tenure if Scotland failed to advance beyond the group stage.

“I always had in my head that if we didn’t come out the group, which is something we’ve tried to do across three tournaments now, then it was probably the right time to step away,” he explained.

“Obviously, if we had managed to get that extra point and got out of the group, then I’d probably have stayed on and tried to do another tournament.”

The former Steve Clarke admitted the decision was emotional, particularly after sharing the journey with a core group of players who had been with him from the beginning.

“I called the meeting for seven o’clock after the game because we felt that would be the time it was confirmed that we were out,” he said.

“I sat all the players and staff down in one room. A lot of people in the room and obviously an emotional moment when you tell your players you’re stepping away after such a journey together.

“Some of the boys have been with me right from the start. Seven or eight of them from the start right the way through. It was very important to me that they knew first.”

A journey Scotland will remember

Clarke reflected proudly on his achievements during his time in charge, highlighting the transformation in mentality and belief that helped Scotland return to the biggest stages of international football.

“My lifelong ambition was to do a World Cup with my country. I’ve done that. So, not a bad time to step aside.”

When Clarke took charge, Scotland were searching for a way back after years away from major tournaments. Under his leadership, that changed dramatically.

The manager highlighted a defeat in Moscow as the turning point that helped shape his vision for the national team.

“Moscow was the low point. That was the point where I started to fix in my head how I wanted to move forward,” Clarke said.

“I identified a group of players that I knew could be good for us. I wanted to change the mentality around the group. I wanted to make the boys believe they could go to these places and get results.

“From there it was only a journey uphill.”

Clarke acknowledged that football is never a straightforward path, but believes the memorable moments from his tenure will live long in Scottish football history.

“Football’s never smooth. It never goes straight. You get your highs and your lows.

“But some of the highs have been amazing. Everybody who has been on this journey should remember the highs more than the lows because the highs have been unbelievable.

“We’ll become part of Scottish folklore as we move forward. People will be talking about some of these matches and occasions right into the next century.”

Pride in the next generation

While Scotland’s squad has evolved throughout Clarke’s reign, the departing manager believes the current group still has plenty to offer and that younger players can learn from the experienced core.

“You have to take the core group, but you have to keep evolving around it,” he said.

“There are a number of younger players in the squad now who will become the next core group. They should learn from the senior players I’ve been lucky enough to work with.

“We’ve grown together through 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 caps. Going into this tournament, I think we were just about a thousand caps in the squad, which is good experience at international level.”

Clarke rejected suggestions that the experienced players who helped Scotland qualify for three major tournaments were finished.

“This core group’s finished? They’re not finished yet,” he insisted.

“They can all make it for Euro 2028. I look forward to sitting in the stand if the Scottish FA are good enough to give me a couple of tickets, watching the boys play without the stress of being their head coach.”

Praise for Scotland’s supporters

The Scotland manager also paid tribute to the supporters who followed the team across Europe and beyond, praising their behaviour and passion.

“The Tartan Army are a fantastic group of supporters,” Clarke said.

“They appreciate what this group of players have done for them. They’ve been able to go to Germany, they’ve been able to come here to the USA and they’ve had the best time.

“They’re great ambassadors for Scotland.”

Clarke also highlighted the impact of travelling fans during difficult moments.

“When you go away and hear that little pocket of noise coming out of the stadium, you know they’ve got your back. We’ll always appreciate them.”

A final message to the players

Despite leaving his role, Clarke’s final message to the squad was one of expectation and belief.

“I was still the gaffer last night until just after that meeting,” he joked.

“Their qualification record is probably unsurpassed in Scottish history. We know how to qualify out the group.

“All I said to the boys was don’t use the free pass to get to the next tournament. Make sure you qualify as of right because that’s what we do.

“I look forward to sitting watching the boys playing in the next Euros, and next time they’ll get it right.”

After seven years, three major tournaments and a return to the world stage, Steve Clarke leaves Scotland with a legacy of belief, progress and unforgettable moments.

“The highs have been unbelievable,” he said. “And I think everybody who’s been on this journey should remember the highs more than the lows.”

Full interview – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXW2MJ8DrDM