Scottish FA Chief Ian Maxwell Celebrates World Cup Qualification and Coach Steve Clarke’s Impact

Ian Maxwell, the chief executive of the Scottish Football Association (SFA), described Tuesday’s thrilling 4-2 victory over Denmark, which secured Scotland’s World Cup qualification for the first time in 28 years, as “the best night in the history of Scottish football.”

In an interview with BBC Radio Scotland, Maxwell was asked about the possibility of head coach Steve Clarke extending his contract beyond the upcoming World Cup next summer in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He replied, “That’s a conversation for another day,” but added, “I think he’s now earned the title of ‘Sir’.”

The match saw stunning goals from Scott McTominay, Kieran Tierney, and Kenny McLean, alongside a tap-in from Lawrence Shankland, culminating in a dramatic stoppage-time victory at Hampden that allowed Scotland to surpass Denmark and secure the top spot in Group C. Maxwell reflected on the game, stating, “I don’t think anybody knows the word to describe it; it was just an insane 90 minutes of football.”

He continued, “The football as a standalone 90 minutes was incredible, but when you add the additional context of having not been to a finals since 1998 and the disappointment that everybody felt on Saturday when we lost in Athens, it makes this victory all the more special.”

Maxwell emphasized that this qualification marks Clarke’s third advancement to a major finals since he took over the national team in 2019, calling him “our greatest ever manager.” He noted, “Three tournaments out of four is just an incredible return, and I’m absolutely delighted for him.”

The SFA chief reiterated the organization’s unwavering support for Clarke, despite Scotland’s struggles at the 2024 Euro finals, where they finished bottom of their group with only one point. “A lot of people didn’t want him to be the manager anymore, and it’s brilliant to see nights like that because it ratifies that decision and makes you proud of the choice to keep him,” he stated.

Reflecting on Clarke’s tenure, Maxwell remarked, “When we appointed him six years ago, if anybody had said this was going to be how the next six years would look, we would have all bitten your hand off for it.”

Clarke’s current contract expires at the end of next summer’s World Cup campaign. He previously indicated a 75% likelihood of leaving when his contract ends. However, post-match on Tuesday, he mentioned that “the door is always open” for an extension. It seems this decision will be made following the tournament in the Americas.

“That’s a conversation for another day,” Maxwell reiterated. “This is just about enjoying the moment, enjoying qualification, and preparing for what will be an unforgettable summer. Let’s prepare as properly as we can, see how we get on in the tournament, and take it from there.”

Additionally, the SFA is expected to receive a significant financial bonus as a reward for qualification, which Maxwell believes could be pivotal in enhancing the national game in Scotland. However, he acknowledged, “I’ve not spent any time thinking about the finances; I’ve genuinely not. You’re always reticent to look too far into it in case you start to jinx things, but as an association, we’ve made no secret that facilities are a real priority for us.”