Ibrahima Konaté has rejected multiple renewal offers from Liverpool (Credits: Imago Images)
Scotland manager Steve Clarke has admitted he did not enjoy either of his previous two major tournaments and is determined to approach this World Cup differently.
Clarke is finally getting his chance on the world stage after missing out on Italia 90 as a player and falling short in the qualifying playoffs for the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
A disappointing showing at the Covid-hit Euro 2020 was followed by a dismal campaign in Germany at Euro 2024, leaving Clarke with little to celebrate across both experiences.
The Scotland boss, not typically known for his sunny disposition, has been candid about how those tournaments weighed on him personally and professionally.
Now in the United States for the 2026 World Cup, Clarke says he is making a conscious effort to soak up every moment of the experience before competitive football even begins.
“I’m on my third tournament and I’ve not really enjoyed the previous two, if I’m being honest,” he told BBC Scotland.
“So this time, it’s a different Steve Clarke hopefully, but we haven’t played any competitive games yet!”
Clarke explained that the unusual circumstances of Euro 2020 played a significant role in why that tournament felt hollow, with Scotland playing two games at Hampden and one at Wembley.
“The first one, because it was Covid affected, didn’t really run the way you would think because you didn’t get the feel of a tournament,” he explained.
Germany provided a full tournament atmosphere, but Clarke believes Scotland simply failed to deliver when it mattered most across their three group games.
“Then you go to Germany and you get that feel of the tournament. And I just feel that we let ourselves down across the three games,” he said.
The 62-year-old was also willing to accept personal responsibility for some of Scotland’s shortcomings during Euro 2024, reflecting on his own decision-making throughout the campaign.
“We didn’t play as well as we should have done and I probably didn’t make the decisions that I should have made at certain times. So you learn from that,” he acknowledged.
Having always wanted to attend a World Cup as a player without achieving that dream, Clarke is drawing on that long-held ambition to fuel his enjoyment this time around.
“I wanted to go to a World Cup as a player. I didn’t manage to do that. I’m here now as a head coach. It’s taken me 62 years to achieve what I wanted to achieve so I’m going to try and enjoy it,” he said.
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