Scotland: Sebastien Pocognoli speaks to media after being named head coach

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That's all from us after a very brief media introduction from new Scotland boss Sebastien Pocognoli.

You can scroll down to see what the Belgian and the Scottish FA's chief football officer Craig Mulholland had to say.

You'll also get some more reaction and fan views on this feed, and you can find more on our dedicated Scotland page.

The chat is that Mr Pocognoli will be doing more media duties today, so keep your eyes peeled on the BBC Sport website.

Thanks for joining.

Pocognoli confirmed as Scotland boss - but who is he?

What awaits new Scotland head coach Pocognoli?

'I'm genuinely intrigued by this one'

Here are more of your views following the news that Sebastien Pocognoli has been named the new head coach of Scotland:

Roshan: I'm genuinely intrigued by this one. The appointment isn't the predictable, conservative SFA choice like we've seen in the past. They've gone outside Scotland, gone young, and appointed somebody who potentially brings a genuinely different footballing philosophy. I'm excited.

Thomas: It's hard to make a judgement on Pocognoli because most Scots have never heard of him. A really left-field appointment. I do, though, hope he shakes things up and doesn't just stick with guys that have proven they can't take us up to the next level.

Gordon: I hope this guy can instil a new style into the team. Steve Clarke's football was dreadful to watch and I know he got results but... Hopefully this new boss can create a new atmosphere in the squad, developing younger players and playing attacking football.

What is Pocognoli's style?

Craig Mulholland, the Scottish FA's chief football officer, has been instrumental in Scotland's search for a new head coach and says Sebastien Pocognoli "will bring an aggressive, front-foot style of play that will excite supporters".

He adds that Scotland are aiming to "evolve from a position of strength".

Meanwhile, Pocognoli has described his brand of football as "a dominant one, with and without the ball". He also wants his team to be intense pressers but have "real mastery in possession".

He prefers to use back-three formations.

Hearts boss backs Pocognoli to succeed

Meanwhile, Hearts boss Wouter Vrancken has backed his fellow Belgian to succeed as Scotland boss.

Vrancken played with Pocognoli at Genk about 20 years ago and they were also on the books at the same club as coaches in the 2022-23 season before facing off as adversaries in the Belgian top flight.

"I know him pretty well because I played with him for two years as a player, he was a young player at that moment," Vrancken said.

"And he was Under-18 coach when I was in Genk as first-team coach, so I know him a bit. I know him just as a good guy.

"I know his style of play because we managed against each other when he was at USG, and he did really well there. And let's hope that he can work with the national team.

"His style of play can work with Scotland. His style of play is also pretty physical, direct, so I think it's a good match."

'SFA deserve credit for landing Pocognoli'

Belgian football podcaster Scott Coyne added that Sebastien Pocognoli endured a challenging period at Monaco, where he was sacked earlier this summer after just eight months in charge, and praised the Scottish FA for securing a deal for the "pragmatic, adaptable and flexible" 39-year-old while interest was bubbling away elsewhere.

"Timing is very important with all things in football and the SFA deserve a lot of credit here," he said. "They've moved very fast to get a very exciting young coach who has become available at short notice.

"A lot of people have been keeping an eye on Poco. He was part of some private conversations among the Belgian FA in recent weeks before they appointed Mark van Bommel.

"He's someone a lot of people have been keeping a close eye on. I think he's been surprised by this opportunity, but he will think he's got the tools to take Scotland to another level."

Why 'working-class' Pocognoli will 'click quickly' with Tartan Army

So, on that connection...

Belgian football expert Scott Coyne predicts that Sebastien Pocognoli's working-class roots and charismatic personality will quickly endear him to the Tartan Army.

The former Monaco and Union Saint-Gilloise head coach is just the second foreign boss of the Scotland men's national team.

However, Scottish podcaster Coyne expects 'Poco' to "click quite quickly" with a passionate support with his "very intense" but "very approachable" character.

"He comes from a working-class background just outside Liege, to an Italian family who were immigrants to Belgium," Coyne said on BBC Radio Scotland.

"Just like there are a lot of Scots Italians, there are a lot of Belgian Italians. There are a lot of cultural commonalities there that I think will help him quickly.

"Regardless of results, I think he will click quite quickly with the fans."

'I never go to a challenge where I can't feel the connection'

Scotland boss Sebastien Pocognoli: "Thanks for the warm welcome. The auditorium is full, so thank you for coming.

"I'm very proud to be here. It's a very strong challenge, with a project to develop the future of Scottish football.

"There are the metrics, but the human aspect was also very important. I never go to a challenge where I can't feel the connection.

"Scotland is a passionate country and I think also, regarding the strong foundation that Steve Clarke and his staff did, that I can use this heritage to put the next accent in the style of play while also developing players for the future.

"That's why I'm here."

'Beyond the data what's important is the person'

Scottish FA's chief football officer Craig Mulholland: "The starting point for us wasn't the coach, it was 'what makes a winning Scotland?'.

"We know what our ambitions are. Before you go on the coach search you have to understand what successful nations do to continually get to where we want to be.

"We did a lot of data and from that, we created a set of metrics that led us to a bunch of coaches. Ian [Maxwell] and I went on our travels - so many coaches had a passion for Scotland.

"The process was long and we were delighted when we ended up with Sebastien.

"We looked at metrics around playing style - and Sebastien met all of that - but beyond the data what's important is the person.

"We had to look the person in the eye and know they would add to what we already have.

"Sebastien had a massive passion for us becoming a high-performing nation, his own experience as a player and a coach. We spent hours talking football, talking players and you'll hear today the work he's already done, which is quite incredible.

"We're delighted to be here today."

What Scotland fans want from Pocognoli

We asked for your views after Sebastien Pocognoli was named the new head coach of Scotland.

Here's what some of you said:

Benjamin: It is going to be an interesting campaign coming up. Excited to see how it goes and fair play to the Scottish FA for being bold. Just hope it works out for us all, but this is Scotland and anything is possible!

Derek: I just hope that Pocognoli takes a fresh look at the players available and doesn't just pick the same old faces that have failed miserably during Steve Clarke's time as head coach. Time for new Scottish talent to get a chance.

Neil: Hopefully he helps the team progress and achieves Euro 2028 qualification. That has to be the benchmark post-Clarke. Solidifying our defensive system has to be a priority, ensuring the team doesn't put itself under early pressure by losing early goals like it did in the World Cup. He will have a rebuild job to do, but there's no reason to believe that Scotland cannot build on Clarke's legacy with a good crop of younger players.

'One of Europe's brightest emerging coaching talents'

It is clear the Scottish FA feel they have landed a serious coach.

They say they have appointed "one of Europe's brightest emerging coaching talents" by securing Sebastien Pocognoli.

Looking at his record against back-to-back Champions League winners PSG in France, you can understand why they think that.

Pocognoli's Monaco did the double over PSG last term, winning 1-0 at home before earning a very impressive 3-1 victory in Paris in March.

The pair also met in the Champions League knockout phase last season, with eventual tournament winners PSG progressing narrowly on aggregate.

What awaits new Scotland boss Pocognoli?

A title winner in his homeland while managing Union Saint-Gilloise, Sebastien Pocognoli brings a reputation for playing eye-catching football.

However, the former left-back was sacked as Monaco boss in June after just eight months, making him available to the Scottish FA.

Following Steve Clarke's record-breaking spell, the demands on Pocognoli will be to deliver the same results as his predecessor, or better, while shifting the playing style and refreshing the squad.

That ain't an easy gig. We had a look at what awaits the new Scotland head coach.

Who is Pocognoli?

Sebastien Pocognoli spent time in England during his playing career, turning out for West Brom and Brighton, and earned 13 caps for Belgium.

After his sacking by Monaco in early June, he said he had learned lessons and would take time to prepare for his next job "with calm and determination".

He left having finished seventh in his sole season in Ligue 1, having been lured from Union Saint-Gilloise in the October.

It was at the progressive Belgian club - like Hearts, part of the Jamestown orbit - where he forged his reputation.

After his 17-year career as a left-back in the top divisions in England, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium ended, he worked with the youngsters at USG and with the Belgian national set-up.

Then, in 2024, he ascended to USG's senior team, winning the Belgian Super Cup almost immediately before leading the club to a first league title since 1935 and a tilt at the Champions League.

Before long, Monaco came calling, impressed by Pocognoli's bold approach. He was sacked in June after just eight months in the job.

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