Scotland boss Clarke quits after WC elimination
Key takeaways
- Clarke signed a new contract with the Scottish Football Association just before the tournament, a deal that was set to take him through to 2030.
- Scotland came into the World Cup with hopes of reaching the knockout stages for the first time.
- Scotland coach Steve Clarke was pessimistic of his side's chances of advancing at the World Cup.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Clarke signed a new contract with the Scottish Football Association just before the tournament, a deal that was set to take him through to 2030. But just 30 days after the announcement of the long-term contract, Clarke has resigned.
Scotland came into the World Cup with hopes of reaching the knockout stages for the first time. They had a tricky group but were aiming for history. However, after an opening-round 1-0 win over Haiti, they lost 1-0 to Morocco and fell 3-0 to Brazil. Their final goal difference of minus-3 was enough to see them miss out on a spot in the final 32 as one of the best third-placed teams.
Croatia's 2-1 win over Ghana in Group L confirmed Scotland's exit on Saturday, with Opta already rating Scotland's chances at just 0.07% before that game following surprise wins for South Africa and Ecuador, among others.