I don’t want to criticise the individual as he was just the latest person to have to deal with a almost impossible task, which was to develop and progress a national team that could take the next step of qualifying to the knockout out stage of the Euro or WC tournaments.
I give credit to Clarke for having the common sense to know his time ‘had run’. It’s a statement (to anyone listening IMO) we neither have the organisational structure, people running the ‘show’ or players with the requisite ability or skills to take us to that level.
When to take in the populations of the major (successful) footballing nations then it’s clear numbers (players -competition-standards) count. eg
GRM - 85; FR - 70; ENG - 60; SPM - 48 Million.
Of our WC group, BRL 214, Morocco 39, HTI -12 M.
Equivalent Euro countries with Scotland 6 million, DMK -6, SWD -11, NWY-6, BLM-12, IRL - 6, PGL - 11.
Belgium and Portugal has proved that with the right vision, structure and people (weather may also be an important factor here), it is possible to compete against the ‘big’ countries.
The WC has proved that ‘small’ nations can however can provide exciting football, Curacao the prime example with there flair and quick moving football. They came unstuck of course points wise (2), however was an example (to me) that an adventurous approach is more appreciated than a Don’t - Loose one.
I think ‘adventure’ wasn’t in the Stevie Clarke training manual. It only happened by luck.
So to close, good luck to Mr Clarke if he wishes to continue in football management. There will be clubs willing to use his talents and experience.
For Scotland (and more importantly it’s fans). the challenge and expectations need to be kept in check. Ie what is realistically possible. Thats not to say don’t stop the tartan army having a great time at tournament when we quality, quite the reverse, their brilliant ambassadors.
The only thing I would do is change the model the SFA have for the development of our young players. The current one (employed for decades) has not worked or progressed your players skill set IMO.
I don’t wait in great expectation!
Thats it off my chest!!
bc
By
big cherly ·
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