Clark announced his resignation after Scotland's elimination from the World Cup.

Within an hour of the Scottish men's national football team failing to advance from the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, manager Steve Clarke officially announced his resignation.

The 62-year-old coach has been at the helm of the team since 2019. Although he had just signed a four-year contract extension before the start of this tournament, the national team's dismal exit led him to decisively overturn his original long-term plan.

In this tournament, Scotland was placed in Group C and ultimately only managed 3 points, failing to achieve their historic goal of advancing to the knockout stage. In their final group stage match, the team suffered a humiliating 0-3 defeat to Brazil, and Clarke appeared extremely frustrated on the sidelines.

Besides criticism that his tactics were too conservative, Clark's stiff and indifferent attitude in media interviews also drew criticism. With Croatia's victory over Ghana, Scotland's chances of advancing were completely eliminated.

Even so, Clarke remains a legendary figure in Scottish football history. Under his leadership, the team ended its long absence from major international tournaments since 1998, qualifying for the 2021 and 2024 European Championships, and returning to the World Cup stage after a 28-year hiatus.

In an open letter to fans, Clark did not shirk responsibility but instead expressed his gratitude to the team: "The most touching part of this farewell is for my players. Without them, we would not have those precious memories. It is an honor to be called their 'boss'. Thank you all, and I wish my successor all the best."

Image source: Internet/Sky Sports official website