A new manager, a patient new era for Scotland

With the appointment of Sebastian Pocognoli as next manager, signed a two-year deal, we have our country’s first foreign manager since Bertie Vogts.  Pocognoli (should we just call him ‘Big Seb’?) replaced Steve Clarke who ended his seven years reign after this summer's World Cup after the team failed to progress from the group stage.The 39-year-old former Belgian defender led Union Sant Gilloise to their first league title in 90 years, as well as winning 13 caps for his country and also playing for a lot different clubs including English sides West Bromwich Albion and Brighton & Hove Albion. 

Even before his first game in charge, some people were asking whether it was a risk bringing in a manager with no experience of leading an international side. Fortunately, in my opinion, most Scotland fans were saying we just have to get behind him and let’s see how it goes.His first job was to name the squad for the Nations League games. Again, in my view, and I believe that of many others, it was refreshing to see some new faces.  Yes, some injuries played a part, but fans aren’t daft and knew that the likes of Josh McPake, based on his performances last season for St Johnstone and now in the Premiership for Hearts, was deserving of a place.  Would he have been picked by Steve Clarke? We’ll never know, but I’m not sure he would have…

In defence, there was Luis Binks, a centre back, who plays for Danish Superliga club Brondby; Colby Donovan, who plays right back at Celtic and Luke Graham, another centre back, who plays for EFL championship side Stoke City. Another EFL championship side, Swansea, provided Stephen Welsh.

Up front, we had Kieron Bowie, the former Hibs striker, is currently at Italian club Sassuolo, on loan from Hellas Verona, and also Robbie Ure from Sevilla in La Primera Liga, as well as the aforementioned McPake, a proper winger. 

As we’ve seen over the four games, Pocognoli comes with his own ideas and a new system he is trying to adopt. This seems to be part of a plan at the SFA to try to revitalise Scottish football, with Craig Mulholland’s new position as Chief Football Officer, being a key part of this.  The fact that the SFA are really taking this new approach seriously is demonstrated by the news this week that Graeme Mathie from Ayr, as Head of Football Strategy, Operations and Performance.

For Mulholland, this will be his second spell at the SFA after starting out as Football Development Officer, before progression to Senior Youth Development Officer.  He then joined Rangers, spending nine years as Academy Director, and was also at Nottingham Forest as Head of Football Development and Talent Management. Believe it or not, more than 20 years ago I did some coaching with Craig, but strangely the SFA did not approach me!

Despite the results and some of the performances, I've not personally spoken to any fan that doesn't like the appointment. While there will always be some gripers, I think the Tartan Army as a whole is happy with the appointment of Big Seb.

One thing that I believe has been useful, not to mention important, is that the structure of the Nations League, with the long breaks for several international matches, will have helped Pocgnoli get to know his players (and for the players to get to know him) far better than if he had only had them for a week.

Yes, the home defeat to Slovenia wasn't great, and, to be honest, I did expect better after the success against North Macedonia (even if they were rubbish), but, we do have  a new manager with new ideas and he has to be given time to implement them.  We know where the weaknesses are and, unlike a club side, he can’t simply buy players to make up for the deficiencies, but one thing is certain.  If we don’t give him a decent, long chance, and get behind him through thick and thin (isn’t that what being a Scotland fan is all about?), nothing will improve. With what looks like a long-term strategy being developed for youth development and getting more youngsters into our clubs’ first teams, we need patience.

Michael McEwan, Ops Team,  The SFU