Irvine stays as Pocognoli refreshes Scotland staff

What the report says

Everton assistant Alan Irvine will remain in the Scotland set-up as new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli finalises a revised backroom team, the Scottish FA said. Irvine, who joined the national team after Euro 2024, will continue alongside goalkeeping coach Chris Woods from the previous staff.

Pocognoli, appointed as Steve Clarke’s successor last month, has also brought in two new assistants: former Belgium coach Luke Benstead and Cameron Campbell, who has worked in the academies of Aberdeen and Rangers and later at RB Leipzig and Tottenham Hotspur. The changes mean Pocognoli now has his coaching group in place ahead of his first squad announcement on Tuesday.

The new Scotland manager said it was important to take time to build the right staff for the job. He said Irvine’s willingness to stay was a positive, and praised the experience of Benstead, Campbell and Woods. His comments, as reported by BBC Sport, also underlined a focus on coaching quality and continuity at the start of his tenure.

Pocognoli’s first camp will come during an extended international window that includes Nations League matches against Slovenia, plus fixtures against Switzerland and North Macedonia. The staff reshuffle matters because it sets the tone for Scotland’s next phase under a new manager while retaining some familiar figures around the team.