The Scottish Football Association has zeroed in on Sebastien Pocognoli as its top choice to take charge of the national team, following the recent departure of Steve Clarke.
The 39-year-old Belgian, who parted ways with Monaco at the close of last season, has built a growing reputation in management, most notably guiding Union Saint-Gilloise to their first league title in nine decades during the 2024-25 campaign. That achievement has helped establish him as one of the more sought-after young coaches in European football.
According to reports, Pocognoli is among a group of candidates who have held discussions with Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell and Craig Mulholland, the association's chief football officer since his appointment in May. While no final decision has been confirmed, indications suggest that a new appointment could be made in the near future, with Scotland set to resume competitive action in the Nations League.
The national side's first fixture under a new manager would likely come away to Slovenia on 26 September, as part of a demanding run of four matches. The timing has added urgency to the search for Clarke's successor.
Pocognoli is no stranger to British football, having spent several years playing in England for West Bromwich Albion and Brighton & Hove Albion during his playing days. He also represented Belgium at international level, earning 13 caps for his country. Should he be appointed, he would become only the second non-British manager to lead the Scotland men's team, following in the footsteps of German coach Berti Vogts, who managed the side in the early 2000s.
Clarke's exit brought an end to a seven-year spell in charge of Scotland, a tenure that saw the team qualify for consecutive European Championships after decades of absence from major tournaments. His departure came as a surprise to some, given that he had signed a new four-year contract with the association as recently as May. However, he chose to step down after Scotland's group-stage elimination from the World Cup, bringing his time at the helm to a close.
The search for his replacement now appears to be entering its final stages, with Pocognoli seen as the frontrunner among those considered by the SFA hierarchy. His track record of success at club level, combined with his understanding of the British game from his playing career, is thought to make him an attractive option for the role.
Meanwhile, continuity within the coaching setup looks likely regardless of who takes the top job. Steven Naismith, who worked as one of Clarke's assistants during his reign, indicated last month that he anticipates remaining involved with the national team's coaching staff under whoever is appointed as the new head coach.
As the Scottish FA works to finalize its decision, all eyes will be on whether Pocognoli can be lured to international management for the first time in his coaching career. If confirmed, his appointment would mark a significant shift in approach for a federation that has traditionally favored homegrown or British-based candidates for the position.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.