Clarke resigns after Brazil defeat ends Scotland's World Cup

Clarke gone after Brazil 3–0 Scotland ends World Cup run

Steve Clarke walked. Brazil 3–0 Scotland in Miami, Vinícius Júnior running the show, and your World Cup is over before the knockout stage (6). Clarke called the decision to resign "an easy decision" (1). After a campaign that started with real hope, a win over Haiti, three points in the group, it ends with a whimper against Brazil, a side that paid Scotland "great respect" before kickoff and then showed none of it on the pitch.

Mick Brown calls the treatment of Clarke "harsh"

Not everyone thinks the exit was on Clarke. Former Scotland coach Mick Brown told Football Insider the pressure on him was unfair: "It was harsh for anybody to expect Clarke to step down after the World Cup" (2). The squad had backing, preparation, and support, the BBC asked why a team so "pampered, protected and primed" delivered so little (4). The question hangs over more than just the manager.

Moyes the early name, but not this summer

David Moyes is the name on every list. Bryan King, an ally of Moyes, told Football Insider he is "certainly capable of doing it, that's for sure" (3). But Moyes is not expected to leave Everton this summer (3). The SFA may have to wait, or look elsewhere.

Ferguson to assess his Bologna future after the tournament

Lewis Ferguson is taking stock. The Scotland midfielder will evaluate his Bologna future now that the World Cup is over (5). Separately, Wolfsburg are closing in on goalkeeper Tjark Ernst, who had been linked with Celtic (5).

Fan reactions

The Tartan Army saw the campaign for what it was, a group stage exit with one win, one narrow defeat to Morocco, and a heavy loss to Brazil. Disappointment is the mood, but the anger is not uniform: some fans point to the injuries, others to Clarke's setup. Join the discussion on r/ScottishFootball