Sebastien Pocognoli is set to be announced as the new Scotland men’s head coach next week.
The Belgian will become the first foreign appointment since Berti Vogts’s spell in charge between 2002 and 2004.
Multiple candidates were interviewed during an extensive search that also used data to identify a coaching style that matched the requirements outlined as key to a successful Scotland team.
The 39-year-old’s tactical work on the training ground and track record of integrating young players have been major factors in his appointment, according to sources with knowledge of the recruitment process.
The Scottish Football Association (SFA) have moved quickly to replace Steve Clarke, who resigned days after Scotland’s World Cup group stage exit despite signing a new four-year contract before the tournament.
The search was led by the SFA’s chief football officer Craig Mulholland, who started his role last month after joining from Nottingham Forest, where he was head of football development and talent management.
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Clarke’s 81 games in charge is the most of any Scotland manager in history and Pocognoli will be tasked with qualifying for the 2028 European Championship and the World Cup in 2030.
He won 13 caps for Belgium as a player and played over 300 times domestically with experience of British football during spells at West Bromwich Albion and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Pocognoli’s managerial career started with spells in charge at Royal Union Saint-Gilloise (RUSG), Genk and the Belgium national team, where he oversaw their respective under-18 and under-21 sides. He took over the RUSG first team in 2024, leading them to a first Belgian league title in 90 years and secured Champions League group stage football.
He was hired by AS Monaco last October but sacked this summer after leading them to a seventh-place finish in Ligue 1.
