Steve Clarke has resigned as Scotland's head coach following the national team's exit from the World Cup. The Scottish Football Association announced his departure in a statement shortly after Croatia's victory over Ghana confirmed Scotland's elimination.

Clarke's decision comes as a surprise, particularly as he had committed to a new four-year contract only a month prior. The team learned of his resignation while still at their base in Charlotte, North Carolina, immediately after their World Cup journey concluded.

The Scottish team's World Cup campaign saw them defeat Haiti 1-0 in their opening match in Boston. However, subsequent losses to Morocco (1-0) and Brazil (3-0) in Miami ended their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages, either directly or as one of the best third-placed teams.

In a poignant farewell, Clarke expressed his gratitude to the players, stating, "The most emotional part of this goodbye is for my players, without whom we wouldn't have had any of the memories that we've accumulated from 2019 until now. They deserve all the praise and adulation that they receive and it was truly an honour to be called their gaffer."

Clarke took charge of the Scotland national team seven years ago, a period marked by the country's return to major international tournaments after a 26-year absence. Under his leadership, Scotland qualified for two European Championships before making their long-awaited World Cup appearance this summer.

Despite the qualification successes, Scotland's performances in the finals have been met with disappointment. The win against Haiti was their sole victory across the three tournaments, with defensive errors cited as a key factor in their recent World Cup group stage exit, particularly in the match against Brazil.

Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell acknowledged the disappointment but highlighted the progress made. "While we are all disappointed to have exited the World Cup at the group stage, we must not lose sight of the undeniable progress made during Steve's seven years in charge," Maxwell stated. He added that Clarke had "more than delivered on the remit to take Scotland back to a major tournament" and thanked him for his "record-breaking contribution."

The timing of Clarke's resignation, announced just minutes after Scotland's World Cup fate was sealed, has drawn attention. Questions remain about the future direction of the Scottish national team as they prepare to search for a new head coach.