Article #64752

• Clarke: ‘right time to step away’ after group stage exit

• Claims it was ‘easy decision’ despite signing new deal

Steve Clarke has insisted it was an easy decision to step down from his role as Scotland head coach because he always planned to do so if the World Cup did not go to plan.

Clarke told his players on Saturday night, at their hotel in Charlotte, that he was bringing the curtain down on his seven-year reign after it was confirmed that Scotland had failed to get out of their group. The announcement came exactly a month after he signed a new four-year contract that would have incorporated Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup.