Scotland will begin their new era under Sebastian Pocognoli later this month with Nations League fixtures against Slovenia, Switzerland and North Macedonia.
Belgian Pocognoli will follow Berti Vogts as just the second foreigner to lead Scotland across their long history – which stretches back to 1872 – in what marks a clear demarcation from the Steve Clarke era which was never truly able to delineate between achievement and frustration definitively.
‘It’s a left-field appointment. That’s how Ian Maxwell, SFA Chief Executive, referred to it when he was speaking to the media after the announcement. It was certainly not one any of us expected,’ The Daily Record’s [Glasgow] Andy Newport told Box2Box.
‘I think they decided, after the way things had gone with Clarke, that they wanted a fresh voice, somebody to come in with fresh ideas and a new outlook, who perhaps doesn’t go along with the perceived wisdom up here.
‘So they’ve plucked Pocognoli out of nowhere… and it’s an exciting one. I think the fans are looking forward to seeing a Scotland that’s more on the front foot. Clarke did magnificently, took us to three tournaments out of four and a first World Cup in thirty years.
‘You all remember the fans over in Boston, it was an incredible atmosphere they created – but the team never seemed to marry up, never seemed a reflection of the energy the fans brought. We were too dour, too stale.
‘I think the SFA are now looking for somebody that can give the fans something to get excited about and really get behind.’
Catch the full chat with Andy below, including early season report cards on Rangers, Celtic & Hearts.