Scotland midfielder John McGinn has revealed he would have tried to convince Steve Clarke to stay on as national team head coach following their World Cup exit. The Aston Villa captain opened up about the difficult period after the tournament on The Overlap's Stick to Football show, as reported by www.google.com this week.
Scotland finished third in their World Cup group with three points from one win and two losses, a record that was not enough to advance. Their campaign ended with a 3-0 defeat to Brazil on June 24, leaving them with a goal difference of minus three after conceding four times and scoring once. The team's recent form shows three consecutive losses, with their next match an away fixture against Slovenia on September 26.
What did John McGinn say about Steve Clarke's departure?
Steve Clarke, the 62-year-old manager, announced he would step down after Scotland's elimination, stating the team needed a fresh voice. McGinn, a key figure in the squad, admitted his personal feelings on the matter. "If he asked me, I'd have said stay. I'm a people pleaser, so I'd have been like, no, no, it's fine," the midfielder said. He acknowledged Clarke's belief in the group but respected the manager's decision to watch from the stands as a fan moving forward. Discussions about the future also involved team captain Andy Robertson.
The waiting game after the final group match was particularly hard for the players. McGinn described the period as painful, with the squad having to continue training while other results determined their fate. "It was painful, really painful, because you know you're going out every day, every result," he stated. Under previous tournament formats, their three-point haul might have been enough for progression, adding to the frustration. The odd timing of drug testers arriving on the morning of the team's departure compounded the strange end to their tournament.
How did the World Cup campaign end for Scotland?
The team's World Cup journey concluded with that heavy loss to Brazil, a result that confirmed their third-place finish in Group C. You can review the full tournament standings on our standings page. While some players returned home immediately, most of the squad chose to stay away for a period after the elimination. The experience marked the end of an era, with veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon also retiring from international duty around the same time.
McGinn appeared on the show alongside former professionals Jamie Carragher, Gary Neville, Ian Wright, and Jill Scott, discussing the campaign just as the new English Premier League season began. The conversation provided a candid look at the emotional toll of a major tournament exit.
What comes next for the Scotland national team?
The search for Clarke's successor is now the immediate priority for the Scottish Football Association. The new manager will inherit a squad that McGinn believes has more to offer, as Clarke himself indicated upon leaving. The team's focus shifts to their upcoming UEFA Nations League commitments and the next qualifying cycle. Fans can track the team's preparations and upcoming matches on our fixtures page.
The core of the squad remains, and the painful lessons from the World Cup will shape their approach. With key players like McGinn and Robertson still central figures, the foundation is there for a bounce-back. The full squad details and player statistics are available on our squad and stats pages. The match against Slovenia in late September will be the first test of the post-Clarke era, offering an early glimpse into the team's new direction.
