Sébastien Pocognoli unveiled as new manager of Scotland national team
The Guardian Sport • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 17, 2026, 2:33 PM
Last updated Aug 17, 2026

Sébastien Pocognoli was appointed as the new boss of the Scotland national team during a press conference on August 17, 2026. His appointment marks a return to hiring foreign managers for the Scottish FA after several years of choosing homegrown candidates. This move follows the historically challenging tenure of Berti Vogts, who served as Scotland’s first foreign manager more than two decades ago. Pocognoli's management style remains to be seen as he takes on his new role.
- •Sébastien Pocognoli appointed Scotland national team manager on August 17, 2026.
- •Scotland has favored homegrown managers for years prior to this appointment.
- •Pocognoli follows Berti Vogts, Scotland's first foreign manager from 2002.
- •Vogts' tenure ended unsuccessfully after two and a half years.
- 2:33 PMThe Guardian Sport — Pocognoli looks the part as Scotland’s new boss but a question remains: can he boogie?
"When Berti Vogts was unveiled as Scotland’s first foreign manager, back in 2002, he had a simple instruction. “When we are playing,” he said, “you can call me Berti McVogts!” Scotland fans preferred a slightly courser sobriquet when, six months later, Scotland went 2-0 down to the Faroe Islands before scrambling a 2-2 draw. Vogts left after two-and-a-half ultimately unsuccessful years, and since then Scotland have preferred homegrown managers. But it’s good to try everything twice, except maybe Gigli, and the Scottish FA has appointed one of European football’s most interesting young managers: Sébastien Pocognoli, who was unveiled at a press conference on Monday. Watching Manchester City under new management for the first time, it’s kind of spooky how much Enzo Maresca channels the ghost of Pep Guardiola on the touchline. Except they are losing” – Chris Jersan. Dave Hill’s letter [Friday’s Football Daily] made me feel old. My immediate reaction was: ‘Too much money sloshing around at the top; there should be a salary cap.’ Then I realised that I could just about remember the campaign for a minimum wage for footballers. All in the span of one lifetime” – Trevor Townson. Re: your mention in Friday’s Football Daily of Graeme Souness being sent off in the first half of his first game as Rangers player-manager v Hibs. This event led to pubs popular with Celtic fans in the east end of Glasgow being inundated with requests for a new drink: ‘I’ll have a Souness please … mine’s a half and then I’m off’” – Danny Sullivan. Continue reading...
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