Pocognoli's appointment comes after a playing career spent mostly in his native Belgium, where he was central to a European football fairytale with Union Saint-Gilloise, winning the title in 2025. The Belgian has cannily called up a batch of untried and young players for his opening set of fixtures in the Nations League, starting on Saturday in Slovenia. Not all will be cut out for international football – Clarke's mainstays remain crucial – yet the head coach will gain kudos for giving opportunity.
Pocognoli's typical formation is 3-4-3, and Scotland remain weak in the goalkeeping and centre-back departments. Much stock is being placed on Oli McBurnie seizing an international second chance. The head coach will have to navigate the brick wall hit by Clarke at two European Championships and a World Cup. Pocognoli's strength, which may well translate successfully to the international game, was in coaching. He is likable, honourable and will take senior players with him.
Craig Mulholland has been appointed as the Scottish FA's chief football officer, with a role as varied as the title is vague. Mulholland's credentials for this post are questionable, having background roles at Rangers and Nottingham Forest. The Scottish FA's chief executive, Ian Maxwell, has been in office since 2018 and has been accused of being unconvincing in his support for Pocognoli.
Pocognoli's salary, understood to be seven figures at base level, underlines the Scottish Football Association's sense that they have sourced a difference maker from the out-of-work market. The head coach will have to prove himself in the Nations League, where Scotland can experiment without fear of serious consequence. The Nations League will be a crucial test for Pocognoli and Scotland, and it remains to be seen whether he can build on the foundation laid by Clarke.
The Nations League will be a key indicator of Pocognoli's success, and Scotland will be looking to make a strong start under their new head coach.