Former Brighton defender Pocognoli named Scotland head coach on two-year deal | OneFootball

Former Brighton left-back Sebastien Pocognoli has been appointed Scotland head coach on an initial two-year deal, succeeding Steve Clarke. The Scottish FA announced the 39-year-old’s appointment.

The Belgium international helped Albion win promotion to the Premier League in 2016-17, scoring a late free-kick winner at QPR.

He delivered Union Saint-Gilloise’s first league title in 90 years in his debut season, prompting some Seagulls fans to wonder if Albion chairman Tony Bloom might see him as a future manager.

Monaco then lured him to the principality, where he reached the Champions League knockout phase. He was dismissed after finishing seventh in Ligue 1.

Pocognoli called the role an honour and said he was excited as soon as he heard of Scotland’s interest. He praised the passion of the team’s supporters, saying it was most recently evident at a World Cup in the United States, and recalled facing them with Belgium in 2013. He added that he and his staff will do everything they can to give fans a side to be proud of and to build on his predecessor’s work.

He becomes Scotland’s second foreign manager after German Berti Vogts’ 2002-04 tenure. Chief football officer Craig Mulholland was heavily involved in the process amid changes to the national set-up that have also seen under-21 coach Scot Gemmill and under-17s coach Brian McLaughlin depart. Mulholland called the appointment an exciting moment for Scottish football and said Pocognoli is among Europe’s brightest and most in-demand coaches.

Source: TheArgus.co.uk

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