Four matches into Sébastien Pocognoli's reign as Scotland manager, serious doubts are emerging about both the team's form and the system he is attempting to implement. The national side looks set to finish third in Nations League Group B1, a result that will carry consequences for seeding in Euro 2028 qualifying, but the manner of Scotland's performances has proven more concerning than the table itself.
The campaign began poorly with a sluggish first half away in Slovenia, salvaged only by a goalless second-half improvement. Things worsened dramatically against Switzerland, where an early red card contributed to a limp 3-0 defeat in which Scotland failed to muster a single shot on target. A 2-0 win away in North Macedonia offered little encouragement given the modest quality of the opposition. The window closed with a chastening home defeat to Slovenia at Hampden Park, a performance so flat that captain Andy Robertson openly criticized his teammates' attitude afterward.
Much of the concern centers on whether Scotland's playing squad suits Pocognoli's tactical approach. The Belgian has consistently used a three-man backline, prioritizing high pressing and wing-back play, but Scotland appear to lack the personnel for such a system. Without an established central-defensive pairing, adding a third centre-back has left gaps that opposing teams have exploited repeatedly, with counterattacks slicing through midfield far too easily.
This stands in contrast to the pragmatic, compact style that defined Steve Clarke's seven-year tenure, which delivered qualification for three of the last four major tournaments. When Scotland reverted to a back four late in the Slovenia match, players looked visibly unsure of their roles — a troubling sign for a manager who insists he remains tactically flexible and denies any touchline disagreement with Robertson during the game.
The return of Scott McTominay for upcoming fixtures offers some hope, though it remains unclear how he would fit alongside John McGinn, Ryan Christie and Billy Gilmour within Pocognoli's current structure. Further complicating matters is the use of 20-year-old Ben Gannon-Doak as a right wing-back. Though blessed with genuine pace, Gannon-Doak is fundamentally a winger whose decision-making still needs refinement, and his selection in that role has kept Aaron Hickey, arguably one of Scotland's most reliable performers, out of the side.
Attendance figures hint at waning enthusiasm too — just 34,000 turned out for the Slovenia clash at Hampden, nearly 20,000 short of capacity, suggesting the public has not yet embraced the vision presented by the Scottish FA when Pocognoli was appointed. Notably, he was never a Clarke-type replacement with major tournament pedigree; instead, the federation pursued what it described as a data-driven search that led to a coach with no prior international management experience, despite only offering him a two-year contract.
That decision sits alongside broader structural changes at the SFA, including new appointments such as chief football officer Craig Mulholland and head of strategy Graeme Mathie, neither of whom brings a demonstrable track record of elevating a similarly sized footballing nation. The federation's new U21 manager, Tony Docherty, has also installed a mirrored tactical setup despite his most recent job being with a struggling Ross County side.
With six Slovenia starters aged 30 or above, the pressure is mounting for Scotland to identify and develop fresh talent while Pocognoli searches for tactical solutions. Should the losing trend continue into November, the Scottish FA's broader strategic direction — and the wisdom of appointing an untested international manager — will face intensified scrutiny.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.