Scotland’s Steve Clarke reportedly targeted by La Liga club after World Cup exit
The former Scotland head coach resigned following the team's group-stage elimination at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and now a Spanish top-flight club is reportedly circling.
Steve Clarke walked away from the Scotland job on June 28, barely a month after signing a contract extension through 2030.
What happened with Scotland
Clarke took charge of Scotland’s national team in May 2019 and oversaw 81 matches across seven years.
Under his leadership, Scotland qualified for three consecutive major tournaments. That includes UEFA Euro 2020, Euro 2024, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which was the nation’s first World Cup appearance in a generation.
At the 2026 World Cup, Scotland drew a group containing Brazil, Morocco, and Haiti. They finished last.
His playing career included time as a defender at Chelsea and with the Scotland national team. On the management side, he had stints at West Bromwich Albion, Reading, and Kilmarnock before taking the national team job. The Kilmarnock role, which ran from 2017 to 2019, is widely credited with putting him on the Scottish Football Association’s radar.
His resignation from the Scotland post leaves the Scottish Football Association with an immediate vacancy heading into future qualifying campaigns.