Scotland have appointed Sebastien Pocognoli as the new head coach of the men’s national team, handing the 39-year-old Belgian a two-year contract as the successor to Steve Clarke.
Pocognoli arrives after leaving Monaco at the end of last season and becomes only the second foreign manager to take charge of Scotland, following Germany’s Berti Vogts.
The former Belgium international built his coaching reputation with Union Saint-Gilloise, where he guided the club to the Belgian title in 2024-25. It was USG’s first league championship in 90 years and followed an immediate success in the Belgian Super Cup after Pocognoli stepped up to manage the senior side in 2024.
His achievements in Belgium earned him a move to Monaco later that year. Pocognoli spent one season in Ligue 1, leading the club to seventh place before departing in early June.
Before entering coaching, Pocognoli enjoyed a 17-year playing career as a left-back across Belgium, England, Germany and the Netherlands. He represented West Bromwich Albion and Brighton & Hove Albion during his time in English football and won 13 senior caps for Belgium.
After retiring, he began working with young players at Union Saint-Gilloise and later joined Belgium’s national-team coaching structure before receiving his first senior managerial opportunity.
Pocognoli is known for an aggressive and possession-focused style of football. His preferred approach has often featured a 3-4-1-2 formation built around high pressing, rapid counter-pressing and control of possession.
The Scottish FA will hope his progressive methods can build on the foundations established under Clarke, with Pocognoli taking over a national side that has recently enjoyed renewed success on the international stage.
His appointment also marks a significant new stage in a coaching career that has developed quickly since his retirement from playing, with Scotland becoming his first job in international management.