Former Scotland manager Steve Clarke has revealed he effectively forced the Scottish FA's hand over a new contract by threatening to quit before this summer's World Cup if terms were not agreed in time.
Clarke explained that by March he had grown frustrated at not being offered fresh terms, suspecting the governing body was waiting to see how the tournament unfolded before committing to him long-term. In response, he used media comments at the time to apply pressure on SFA officials, a tactic he now admits was designed to speed up negotiations.
"Obviously we got to March and I hadn't been offered a new contract, which I thought was pretty strange," Clarke said. "You start to think are they hedging their bets a little bit, waiting on the tournament in the summer. So I did a little bit in the media in March to give the SFA a little shove."
According to Clarke, talks then intensified from the start of April and continued right up until just before Scotland's warm-up fixture against Curacao in mid-May. He described the process as drawn out and difficult, but ultimately successful after he issued an ultimatum.
"We negotiated non-stop from the beginning of April really to the middle of May, just before the Curacao game," he said. "And I said to them if we don't agree a new contract before we go to the World Cup then I will say I am leaving the job. They panicked a little bit and gave me the new contract. It was like drawing teeth trying to get it over the line. But we got it over the line anyway."
Despite securing the extension, Clarke admitted he had privately decided his future would hinge on Scotland's performance at the World Cup itself. He conceded that only a strong showing in the group stage would have convinced him to continue regardless of the contract situation.
"I always knew in my head that if we did not get out of the group stage then I would probably leave," he said. "The only way I would have stayed on is if they had been three fantastic games and they went against you."
Scotland's campaign brought mixed fortunes. They opened with a 1-0 win over Haiti before suffering a 1-0 defeat to Morocco and a heavier 3-0 loss to Brazil, leaving their progression hopes dependent on results elsewhere and a favorable goal difference among the third-placed teams.
Clarke recalled the agonizing wait that followed, as Scotland's squad remained in Charlotte for several days while the permutations played out. He said he had known exactly what was required to advance but was criticized for publicly stating the team's true position.
"We had to stay for four or five days in Charlotte, the longest four or five days ever just sitting and waiting, knowing you are going home because the goal difference was not good enough," he said. "I knew we needed four points. I got hammered in the media for saying that. Somebody hammered me for saying, 'nah, that's us, we are going home'. But I was right."
Following the exit, Clarke said he spoke individually with several senior players, sensing the squad required a change in leadership voice if Scotland are to finally break into the knockout rounds at Euro 2028. He has since been in contact with his successor, Sebastien Pocognoli, wishing him well for the road ahead.
Clarke also expressed confidence that Scotland should be capable of qualifying for the next European Championship, noting that two additional finals berths will be reserved for the best-ranked host nations that fail to qualify automatically as group winners or runners-up.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.