Scotland Men’s Head Coach Steve Clarke has agreed a contract extension to lead the national team through the UEFA EURO 2024 campaign.
The new deal comes after the historic qualification for UEFA EURO 2020 and ahead of the vital FIFA World Cup qualifying triple-header against Denmark, Moldova and Austria next month.
Steve has also confirmed that both Steven Reid of Nottingham Forest and Stevie Woods of Celtic have stepped down from their roles, as assistant coach and goalkeeping coach respectively, due to club and family commitments.
This means that Steve will have a new-look coaching team for the forthcoming matches, with former England and Rangers goalkeeper Chris Woods appointed new goalkeeping coach and Aston Villa set-piece coach Austin MacPhee joining the Scotland backroom team. Both will join-up with John Carver, who will continue in his role as assistant head coach.
Scotland resume their Group F campaign against Denmark in Copenhagen and are unbeaten after a win against Faroe Islands and draws against Israel and Austria in March. Ahead of today’s squad announcement, the Head Coach outlined his ambitions for the men’s national team for the World Cup qualifiers and beyond.
“Firstly, I am proud to extend my stay as Scotland Head Coach and I look forward to working with my staff and players as we look to continue improving as a team. Being involved in EURO 2020 has given us all an added determination to return to a major tournament again as quickly as possible.
“I said in the dressing room after the Croatia game that we all had to learn lessons from playing at the EUROS and to come back stronger. I am committed to helping us return to a major tournament as quickly as possible and improving on what we have achieved until now. The players and my staff share that determination and the hard work resumes next month.
“We have made a solid start to the World Cup qualifiers and we are looking to take the experience of tournament football into the forthcoming games and to remain in contention for Qatar 2022 after the next triple-header.
“I would like to thank Steven Reid and Stevie Woods for their contributions to the national team, not only during the summer but especially in my early months in the job, when we had some tough times and results, but they were always there to support me. I appreciate how demanding it is to have a club job and still find time and enthusiasm to travel with the national team in the international breaks. They both have big seasons ahead for their respective clubs and I wish them well for the future.
“Austin has major tournament experience with Northern Ireland and I now a respected set-piece coach in England’s Premier League. He is a specialist coach and his approach to coaching on the field and use of data off it will be an asset to the existing backroom staff.
“Chris brings a wealth of experience both as a top-class international goalkeeper and as a respected goalkeeping coach in the English Premier League and the United States. I am sure our goalkeepers will enjoy working with Chris and benefit from the knowledge he has accumulated throughout his career.”
Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA Chief Executive: “Steve has brought success and stability to the Scotland Men’s National Team and after the experience of UEFA EURO 2020 it made sense on all sides to build on that in the coming campaigns.
“Obviously there are three tough fixtures next month, not least the away fixtures against Denmark and Austria, but we are unbeaten in the group after our first three matches and the players will have benefited from playing in a major tournament. We also look forward to welcoming a full Scotland support back to Hampden Park for the match against Moldova on September 4 and I am sure they will be a source of inspiration to Steve and the team then and in the coming years.”