SCOTLAND are looking for a new head coach after Steve Clarke stepped down from his post on Sunday following their exit from the 2026 World Cup.

The Scots mustered three points from nine in Group C to end up behind Brazil and Morocco, with a minus three-goal difference, but it was not enough to secure a place among the eight best third-placed teams who move through to the last 32 of the competition.

A statement on the national team’s official Twitter account read: “Scotland men’s head coach Steve Clarke has stepped down from his role.

“Our most successful national team head coach has called time on his seven years in charge following our participation at the Fifa World Cup 2026.”

Clarke led Scotland to three out of the last four major tournaments and it was the national team’s first appearance in the World Cup finals since 1998.

In a lengthy open letter to supporters on the Scottish FA’s website, the 62-year-old said: “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.

“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.”

Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell thanked Clarke for his “record-breaking contribution.”

There were eyebrows raised last month when the former St Mirren, Chelsea and Scotland defender signed a new contract which would have taken him through to 2030.

And there has been widespread criticism of Clarke after Scotland failed again to reach the knockout stages after finishing bottom of their group at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.

The Scottish FA will now begin their search for a new boss ahead of the Nations League campaign, which starts in September.