New Scotland boss Pocognoli begins squad overhaul with youth-focused approach
Scotland's new head coach Edouard Pocognoli takes charge for the first time away to Slovenia, moving on from Steve Clarke's pragmatic era with a squad featuring several uncapped players. Fans and pundits are being asked for patience as he reshapes the team's style.
Scotland football enters a new chapter following Steve Clarke's departure. Clarke's pragmatic approach had ended a 28-year wait to reach a major tournament, but the team's World Cup campaign in the summer finished in painful fashion, overshadowed by scenes from supporters in Boston and Miami rather than the team's own performances.
Edouard Pocognoli now takes over, with his first match away to Slovenia — the same opponent Scotland drew with 2-2 in 2017 in a result that ended their hopes of reaching the 2018 World Cup. Slovenia have managed only one win in their last ten games, so a positive result is expected, though attention is focused as much on how Pocognoli's side plays as on the outcome.
A younger squad, a familiar captain
Twelve players from the World Cup squad in the United States are absent this time, and eight players are chasing their first international cap. New faces include Sevilla striker Robbie Ure, Brondby captain Luis Binks, and late addition Kristi Montgomery, none of whom featured under Clarke. Oli McBurnie has also returned, looking to prove his worth. Two players capped under Clarke, James Wilson and Findlay Curtis, have been released to join the Under-21 squad for an important fixture against Azerbaijan.
Captain Andy Robertson has praised the energy and enthusiasm of the newcomers, saying it has reinvigorated him as well. Pocognoli met and spoke with Robertson several times ahead of the squad's training camp in La Manga, aiming to secure the captain's backing for the changes ahead.
Expectations are that Pocognoli will favour a more aggressive style, likely built around a 3-4-3 system in some variation. As a player, Pocognoli earned 13 caps for Belgium as a left-back, and as a manager he has overseen 107 games at Union Saint-Gilloise and Monaco — considerably less experience than many of his counterparts on the international stage.
After Slovenia, Scotland will host Switzerland and travel to North Macedonia before facing Slovenia again at Hampden on 6 October.
