Former Liverpool coach close to agreeing new contract
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from DaveOCKOP or go back to LFC Live.
Talks are reportedly at an advanced stage over a contract extension for the ex-Liverpool coach. Image Credits: Imago ImagesThe FIFA World Cup final remains football’s biggest match and one of the most-watched sporting events globally, with over one billion viewers tuning in to the 2022 showdown between Argentina and France, where Lionel Messi cemented his legacy.The 2026 World Cup will kick off on June 11 and run until July 19 across 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with defending champions Argentina among the favourites to retain their crown.Meanwhile, former Liverpool assistant coach Steve Clarke will lead Scotland at the tournament, while Andy Robertson is expected to captain the national team.Scotland will face Haiti on June 14, Morocco on June 19, and Brazil on June 24 in Group C.
The first two group matches will take place in Massachusetts, with the final fixture scheduled in Miami.Ahead of the tournament, Scotland will face Curacao in a friendly at Hampden on May 30 before concluding their preparations against Bolivia in New Jersey on June 6.According to The Times, Steve Clarke is close to agreeing a new deal to remain as Scotland manager beyond the World Cup, with talks at an advanced stage over an extension through to Euro 2028.The agreement would take Clarke into the tournament Scotland will co-host, with the 62-year-old expected to resolve his future before the squad departs for America on May 31.Clarke, who has been in charge since 2019 and has overseen 76 games, is already Scotland’s longest-serving manager and the first to lead the national team to three major tournaments.While he had previously suggested a 75-25 chance of leaving after the World Cup, he has since revised that to “50-50”, with discussions continuing between the Scottish FA and chief executive Ian Maxwell ahead of the tournament.“I am pretty sure it will be [resolved],” he said. That would be the plan.”Steve Clarke was Kenny Dalglish’s assistant at Liverpool until both were sacked in May 2012.
Clarke joined Liverpool in January 2011, having previously held coaching roles at Newcastle United, Chelsea and West Ham United.He later managed West Bromwich Albion and Reading, before a spell at Aston Villa. Clarke was appointed Kilmarnock manager in October 2017 and guided them to European qualification with a club-record points total in his first full season.In May 2019, he became manager of Scotland, leading them to UEFA Euro 2020 (their first major tournament in 23 years), UEFA Euro 2024, and qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. scotland Steve Clarke