Steve Clarke: Departing Scotland boss pens letter to supporters

Austin MacPhee and James Morrison joined us to help the push to Euro 2024, then Alan Irvine, who brought great experience to out group, and Andrew Hughes joined the team to help clinch our World Cup 2026 qualification.

All good coaches but even better people.

The auxiliary staff [too many to mention but they know who they are] who did the match analysis, medical, sports science, kit, logistics and media.

When I started the Head of Performance, Graeme Jones, was my go-to with any problem or issue and we worked well together in implementing our off-field progress with facilities and structure.

When Graeme departed for pastures new, Mark Leslie stepped-up seamlessly to continue that push for higher standards off the pitch, reflected in our preparation for World Cup 2026.

Thank you to both my administrative support staff for looking after me so attentively: firstly Frank Reilly who, after a long wait, represented his country when we qualified for Euro 2020 before retiring a happy man. Ashley Phillip replaced Frank and continued to support me on top of her other duties with the Scottish FA.

Thank you to my two Presidents, the sadly departed Rod Petrie, and Mike Mulraney both of whom supported me in their own particular way. Two good men with the best interests of Scottish football at heart.

Thanks also to Chief Executive Ian Maxwell for putting his head on the chopping block and making me his first head coach appointment and to the board who always listened to me when I made my requests for help in trying to improve facilities and matter concerning the team and players.

The most emotional part of this goodbye is for my players without whom we wouldn’t have had any of the memories that we’ve accumulated from 2019 until now. From our captain Andy Roebrtson with 97 caps to those at the start of their journey with the national team, almost every player that has been called upon in my time as head coach has turned up and given everything for their country, hence a period of sustained improvement for our national team.

I quite quickly realised that continuity and familiarity would help these players to bond with each other and my staff, leading them to understand what is needed to be more successful at international level.

They deserve all the praise and adulation that they receive and it was truly an honour to be call their gaffer.

Thanks for having me and good luck to my successor.

Bye-Bye, Scotland!

Steve Clarke!