Pocognoli opens Scotland tenure away to Slovenia in Nations League
The short version
- Pocognoli's first game as Scotland head coach is Saturday away to Slovenia in the Nations League.
- He replaced Steve Clarke, whose seven-year tenure ended after Scotland's World Cup group-stage exit.
- Scotland plays four Nations League games in 11 days: Slovenia away, Switzerland at Hampden, North Macedonia away, Slovenia at home.
- The squad includes eight uncapped players, with Kenny McLean out injured.
- Pocognoli's style is built on aggressive pressing, fast tempo and quick ball recovery.
Scotland's new head coach takes charge for the first time Saturday in Ljubljana, the first of four Nations League games in 11 days.
Sebastien Pocognoli will take charge of Scotland for the first time on Saturday, when his side faces Slovenia in Ljubljana in the UEFA Nations League. The Belgian was hired in August after Steve Clarke's seven-year run ended with Scotland's group-stage exit at the World Cup.
The opener kicks off a stretch of four Nations League matches in 11 days. After Slovenia away, Scotland hosts Switzerland at Hampden, travels to North Macedonia, then meets Slovenia again in Glasgow.
Pocognoli told BBC Sport Scotland he feels some nerves before his debut but described them as a positive nervousness, saying he is excited and passionate about being on the touchline.
The squad is notably young and much changed, training at a warm-weather camp in La Manga, Spain. It includes 19-year-old James Wilson, four 20-year-olds in Findlay Curtis, Ben Gannon-Doak, Lennon Miller and Colby Donovan, plus three 22-year-olds in Kristi Montgomery, Luke Graham and Robbie Ure. With Blackburn's Montgomery replacing the injured Kenny McLean, the group features eight uncapped players.
Pocognoli said he has settled on his lineup and formation for the Slovenia game, though he is not locked into one system even with a back three having been a feature of his coaching. His approach emphasizes aggressive pressing, fast tempo and winning the ball back quickly, and he expects rotation across the four matches.
The new manager also said he had a friendly phone conversation with Clarke, who wished him well and said it was the right time to step away.
