Steve Clarke

{{Distinguish|Steve Clark|Stephen Clark (disambiguation){{!}}Stephen Clark}}

{{About|the Scottish association football manager and former player|the American association football player|Steve Clark (soccer)}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Steve Clarke

| image = Steve Clarke 2019 (cropped).jpg

| caption = Clarke as manager of Scotland in 2019

| fullname = Stephen Clarke{{Hugman|3607|accessdate=27 March 2017}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1963|8|29|df=y}}

| birth_place = Saltcoats, Ayrshire, Scotland

| height = {{convert|1.78|m|order=flip}}{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/steve-clarke/ |title=Steve Clarke: Profile |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |access-date=25 December 2019}}

| position = Right-back{{cite web |url=https://www.chelseafc.com/en/steve-clarke |title=Steve Clarke |publisher=Chelsea F.C. |access-date=17 February 2024}}

| currentclub = Scotland (manager)

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 =

| years1 =

| clubs1 = Beith Juniors

| years2 = 1982–1987

| caps2 = 200

| goals2 = 7

| clubs2 = St Mirren

| years3 = 1987–1998

| caps3 = 330

| goals3 = 7

| clubs3 = Chelsea

| totalcaps = 530

| totalgoals = 14

| nationalyears1 = 1983

| nationalteam1 = Scotland U19

| nationalcaps1 =

| nationalgoals1 =

| nationalyears2 = 1983–1985{{cite web |url=http://www.fitbastats.com/scotlandu21/player.php?playerid=105 |title=[Scotland U21 player] Clarke, Steve |website=FitbaStats |access-date=11 October 2012}}

| nationalteam2 = Scotland U21

| nationalcaps2 = 8

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalyears3 = 1987–1990{{cite web |url=https://www.fitbastats.com/scotlandb/player.php?playerid=62 |title=[Scotland B player] Clarke, Steve |website=FitbaStats |access-date=11 October 2020}}

| nationalteam3 = Scotland B

| nationalcaps3 = 2

| nationalgoals3 = 0

| nationalyears4 = 1987–1994

| nationalteam4 = Scotland

| nationalcaps4 = 6

| nationalgoals4 = 0

| manageryears1 = 1999

| managerclubs1 = Newcastle United (caretaker)

| manageryears2 = 2012–2013

| managerclubs2 = West Bromwich Albion

| manageryears3 = 2014–2015

| managerclubs3 = Reading

| manageryears4 = 2017–2019

| managerclubs4 = Kilmarnock

| manageryears5 = 2019–

| managerclubs5 = Scotland

}}

Stephen Clarke (born 29 August 1963) is a Scottish professional football manager and former player who is the manager of the Scotland national team.

Clarke played for St Mirren, Chelsea and the Scotland national team, winning three major trophies with Chelsea towards the end of his career. After retiring as a player, he moved into coaching and worked at Newcastle United, Chelsea, West Ham United and Liverpool. Clarke has since managed West Bromwich Albion and Reading. After a spell coaching at Aston Villa, Clarke was appointed Kilmarnock manager in October 2017 and led them to a European place with a club record points total in his only full season in charge. In May 2019, he was appointed manager of the Scotland national team. He led the team to qualifications for UEFA Euro 2020, their first major tournament for 23 years, and UEFA Euro 2024.

Playing career

=St Mirren=

Clarke was born in Saltcoats in Ayrshire. His older brother Paul was a footballer, who played in more than 350 games for Kilmarnock.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/41640522 |title=Kilmarnock: Steve Clarke believes his managerial record deserves more respect |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 October 2017 |access-date=30 April 2018}} Spotted while playing for Beith Juniors, Steve began his professional career with St Mirren.{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/west_ham/article7061264.ece |title=Steve Clarke: 'It's time for me to be the guy who makes decisions' |newspaper=The Sunday Times |location=London |date=14 March 2010 |access-date=10 October 2010 |last=Buckland |first=Simon}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Clarke was initially on a part-time contract with St Mirren, while he completed an apprenticeship as an instrument engineer.

=Chelsea=

Clarke was transferred to Chelsea for £422,000 in January 1987.{{cite news |url=http://www.chelseafc.com/page/Legends_Details/0,,10268~1966782,00.html |title=Steve Clarke |publisher=Chelsea F.C |access-date=10 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100818034852/http://www.chelseafc.com/page/Legends_Details/0,,10268~1966782,00.html |archive-date=18 August 2010}} He stayed at Chelsea until 1998, making 421 appearances. He was a part of the Chelsea sides which won the 1997 FA Cup Final, 1998 Football League Cup Final and 1998 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final. The latter match, against VfB Stuttgart in Stockholm, was Clarke's final appearance for the club. In 2005, he was voted into Chelsea's centenary XI, occupying the right-back berth.

Speaking in February 2019, Clarke said he was thankful that Chelsea had signed him as it meant that he and his family no longer had to live with religious sectarianism in the west of Scotland.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47313458 |title=Steve Clarke: Kilmarnock boss upset by 'sectarian' abuse in Rangers defeat |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 February 2019 |access-date=21 February 2019}}

=Scotland=

Clarke made six appearances for the Scotland national team. His debut was a 2–0 friendly win over Hungary at Hampden Park on 9 September 1987, and his final game was a 3–1 friendly loss away to the Netherlands in Utrecht six years later on 27 May 1994; he was not selected in the squad for any of the four major tournaments for which Scotland qualified in that era.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67932342 Steve Clarke: Scotland boss will have 'empathy' with players who miss out on Euros], BBC Sport, 10 January 2024

Coaching career

=Newcastle United=

In 1998, Clarke joined Newcastle United as assistant manager to Ruud Gullit, his former manager at Chelsea. Clarke was part of the coaching team with Gullit, which helped Newcastle reach the 1999 FA Cup Final on 22 May 1999, where Newcastle finished runners up to Manchester United.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}

Clarke was caretaker manager following Gullit's resignation,{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/news/432333.stm |title=Gullit quits Newcastle |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 August 1999 |access-date=27 March 2017}} taking charge of one match, a 5–1 defeat against Manchester United.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/cole-strikes-at-heart-of-magpies-742534.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/cole-strikes-at-heart-of-magpies-742534.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Cole strikes at heart of Magpies |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |last=Hodgson |first=Guy |date=31 August 1999 |access-date=10 October 2010}} For that match, Clarke reinstated Alan Shearer and Rob Lee to the team. Clarke then remained at the club for a period under Bobby Robson.{{cite web |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/steve-clarke-bobby-robson-shearer-23191187 |title=Steve Clarke reveals inspirational Sir Bobby Robson chat with Alan Shearer at Newcastle United |publisher=Newcastle Chronicle |date=24 February 2022 |access-date=13 February 2024}}

=Chelsea=

File:Steve Clarke.jpg in 2007]]

After a stint in charge of the youth teams at Chelsea, Clarke was promoted to the position of assistant manager when José Mourinho was appointed manager in the summer of 2004.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/scolari-asked-clarke-not-to-leave-for-west-ham-928822.html |title=Scolari asked Clarke not to leave for West Ham |last=Wallace |first=Sam |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=13 September 2008 |access-date=10 October 2010}} {{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Clarke was a part of the coaching set-up which saw Chelsea win two FA Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups over three seasons under Mourinho. During this period, Clarke completed his UEFA Pro Licence in 2006.{{cite news|title=The Class of 2006|url= http://www.thefa.com/GetIntoFootball/FALearning/NewsAndFeatures/2006/Pro_Licence|date= 3 July 2006|publisher = The Football Association|access-date=26 April 2012}}

When Mourinho left Chelsea in September 2007, Clarke's services were retained by Avram Grant, although Henk ten Cate was brought in as another assistant coach. Both Grant and ten Cate left the club at the end of the 2007–08 season.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/7426225.stm |title=Ten Cate sacked as Chelsea coach |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 May 2008 |access-date=10 October 2010}} BBC Sport and The Times both reported then that although Clarke remained on the Chelsea coaching staff, he would be looking to pursue opportunities to become a manager in his own right. Chelsea assured Clarke of his status, citing his loyalty, popularity amongst the club's supporters and work in the aftermath of Mourinho's departure.{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/chelsea/article4054092.ece |newspaper=The Times |location=London |last=Hughes |first=Matt |date=2 June 2008 |access-date=10 October 2010 |title=Steve Clarke assured of role at Chelsea}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

=West Ham United=

On 12 September 2008, Clarke handed in his resignation to Chelsea, hoping to move to West Ham United to be assistant to former Chelsea teammate Gianfranco Zola.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/steve-clarke-hands-in-resignation-to-chelsea-927625.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215061810/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/steve-clarke-hands-in-resignation-to-chelsea-927625.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 February 2009 |title=Steve Clarke hands in resignation to Chelsea – Premier League, Football |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=12 September 2008 |access-date=10 June 2010}} Chelsea initially rejected his resignation, demanding compensation worth two years of Clarke's salary. After a deal was agreed between the clubs, Clarke became West Ham's first-team coach on 15 September.{{cite web |url=http://www.whufc.com/page/News/0,,12562~1393570,00.html |title=Clarke takes coaching role |publisher=West Ham United F.C |access-date=10 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215084533/http://www.whufc.com/page/News/0,,12562~1393570,00.html |archive-date=15 February 2009}}

West Ham finished ninth in the Premier League in the 2008–09 season, earning Clarke and Zola extended contracts that made Clarke the highest paid assistant manager in the league.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/west_ham_utd/8015250.stm |title=Zola signs new West Ham contract |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 April 2009 |access-date=10 October 2010}} The club struggled during the next season, however, narrowly avoiding relegation.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/west_ham_utd/8674605.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 May 2010 |access-date=10 October 2010 |title=West Ham sack manager Gianfranco Zola}} In June 2010, not long after the dismissal of Zola as manager, Clarke left the club by mutual consent.{{cite web |url=http://www.whufc.com/articles/20100610/clarke-parts-company_2236884_2068139 |title=Clarke parts company, News, Latest News, News, West Ham United |publisher=West Ham United F.C |access-date=10 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612133236/http://www.whufc.com/articles/20100610/clarke-parts-company_2236884_2068139 |archive-date=12 June 2010}}

=Liverpool=

On 10 January 2011, Clarke was appointed first-team coach at Liverpool by Kenny Dalglish,{{cite web|url=http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/steve-clarke-joins-liverpool|title=Steve Clarke joins Liverpool|publisher=Liverpool F.C|date=10 January 2011|access-date=10 January 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120914153804/http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/steve-clarke-joins-liverpool|archive-date=14 September 2012}} after Dalglish had replaced the dismissed Roy Hodgson two days before.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/9353787.stm|title=Steve Clarke appointed as Liverpool first-team coach|publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 January 2011|access-date=10 January 2011}} Clarke was credited (alongside Dalglish) for turning Liverpool's season around, having a points average of around two points per match from his arrival, coupled with an improved defensive record. On 12 May 2011, Clarke, as well as manager Dalglish, signed a three-year contract to remain in his role as first team coach.

On 14 May 2012, Clarke offered his resignation to Liverpool following the sacking of manager Dalglish and Liverpool's eighth-place finish in the 2011–12 Premier League. The club declined the offer, but on 6 June 2012, following the appointment of new manager Brendan Rodgers, Clarke left the club.{{cite web |title=Liverpool first team coach Steve Clarke leaves club|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18344557|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 June 2012 |access-date=24 August 2012}} Clarke himself said that Liverpool sacked him.{{cite news|title=Clarke – I was sacked by Reds|url=http://www1.skysports.com/news/11095/7998028/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=17 August 2012|access-date=24 August 2012}}

=West Bromwich Albion=

On 8 June 2012, Clarke was appointed manager of West Bromwich Albion and signed a two-year contract. The job was Clarke's first permanent management role for any club, though during his time the club referred to him as "head coach".{{cite web |title=Steve Clarke named West Brom head coach after Liverpool exit |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18366208 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 June 2012 |access-date=27 March 2017}}

==2012–13 season==

Albion began the Clarke era with a 3–0 home win against Liverpool on the opening day of the 2012–13 Premier League season. Clarke then followed that result up with a 1–1 away draw against Tottenham Hotspur, and a 2–0 win at home to Everton. Clarke suffered his first competitive defeat away at Fulham, but West Brom soon jumped back with 1–0 home victory over Reading. In November, the club won four consecutive matches in a row for the first time since 1980, defeating Southampton, Wigan Athletic, Chelsea and Sunderland.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20374862|title=Sunderland 2-4 West Brom|first=Jamie |last=Lillywhite|publisher=BBC Sport}} Clarke was named Premier League manager of the month for November 2012.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20680192|title=West Brom's Steve Clarke wins Manager of the Month award|publisher=BBC Sport}} Although the team would go on to lose their next three matches, Clarke's team would bounce back with a draw at home to West Ham and a 2–1 win over Norwich City. By Christmas 2012, West Brom were seventh in the table with 30 points, behind teams like Arsenal and Spurs only on goal difference. During the January transfer window, Clarke encountered some problems with want-away Nigerian Striker Peter Odemwingie, who desired a move to Queens Park Rangers, but West Brom refused to sell.{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/jan/28/peter-odemwingie-west-brom-qpr-bid | location=London | work=The Guardian | title=Peter Odemwingie furious as West Bromwich reject new £2m QPR bid | date=28 January 2013}} Odemwingie was ultimately never sold and was later given time off following the transfer window saga.{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/west-bromwich-albion/9841681/West-Brom-striker-Peter-Odemwingie-dropped-for-Tottenham-game-following-transfer-deadline-day-farce.html | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | first=Paul | last=Kelso | title=West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie dropped for Tottenham game following transfer deadline day farce | date=1 February 2013}} It was during this January period that the club struggled to emulate their early season form. Following a poor run of results which saw West Brom fail to win in six consecutive games, Clarke oversaw a 2–0 victory against Liverpool at Anfield, the club's first win since Boxing Day against QPR.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21318809|title=Liverpool 0-2 West Brom |first=Alistair |last=Magowan|publisher=BBC Sport}}

West Brom won 3–0 at Southampton on 27 April, which was their 14th win of the season. This set club records for wins (14) and points (48) in a Premier League season.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22228828|title=Southampton 0-3 West Brom|first=Chris |last=McKenna|publisher=BBC Sport}} West Brom ended the season in style with a dramatic 5–5 draw with Manchester United, in what was Sir Alex Ferguson's final match as manager.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22499117|title=West Brom 5-5 Manchester United|first=Neil |last=Johnston|publisher=BBC Sport}} The draw saw West Brom finish eighth in the table, their best finish since 1981.

==2013–14 season==

Clarke and West Brom returned for the new season with a 1–0 home loss to Southampton at The Hawthorns following a 90th-minute Rickie Lambert penalty.{{cite web | url=http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2744&teamTabs=results | title=West Brom 2013-14 | publisher=soccerbase.com | access-date=16 December 2013}} The team initially struggled to score goals, eventually recording their first league goal the fourth game of the new season when Gareth McAuley scored an injury time header in a 1–1 result against Fulham. 28 September 2013 saw them secure an historic 2–1 victory against league champions, Manchester United, their first win at Old Trafford in 35 years.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/24331861 | title=Bryan Robson: West Brom deserved Manchester United win | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=16 December 2013}} Under his managership, however, they won only one further game, a 2–0 home defeat of Crystal Palace on 2 November 2013. On 9 November, West Brom were minutes away from securing a historic win at Stamford Bridge that would have ended José Mourinho's undefeated home record, but a controversial penalty decision ensured that the game ended 2–2.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24783075|title=Chelsea 2-2 West Bromwich Albion|first=Sam |last=Sheringham|publisher=BBC Sport}} A further draw and four straight defeats followed and on 14 December 2013 Clarke was placed on gardening leave until May 2014, after a 1–0 loss at Cardiff City. This defeat had left the club two points above the relegation zone in 16th place. They had won nine of the previous 41 Premier League matches.{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/west-bromwich-albion/10519304/West-Bromwich-Albion-starting-search-to-replace-Steve-Clarke-from-scratch.html | title=West Bromwich Albion starting search to replace Steve Clarke from scratch | work=Daily Telegraph| date=15 December 2013 | access-date=16 December 2013 | location=London | first=John | last=Percy}}

=Reading=

On 16 December 2014, Clarke was appointed manager of Reading on a two-and-a-half-year deal, succeeding Nigel Adkins.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30499446 | title=Steve Clarke: Reading appoint new boss to replace Nigel Adkins | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=16 December 2014}} On 16 March 2015, Clarke managed Reading to a 3–0 win against Bradford City in the FA Cup to reach their first semi-final for 88 years.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31791998 | title=Reading 3-0 Bradford City | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=17 March 2015}} In November 2015, Clarke was approached by Fulham to become their manager.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34878852 |title=Steve Clarke: Reading manager to stay following Fulham talks |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 November 2015 |access-date=20 November 2015}} Reading gave Clarke permission to speak to Fulham, but following the discussion he decided against taking the position. Clarke was sacked by Reading on 4 December 2015 after one year in charge.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35005713|title=Steve Clarke: Reading manager 'relieved of duties'|publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 December 2015|access-date=4 December 2015}}

=Aston Villa=

Clarke was hired by Aston Villa on 2 June 2016 to be their assistant manager, working alongside former Chelsea teammate Roberto Di Matteo.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36435484 |title=Roberto di Matteo named Aston Villa manager - Steve Clarke as assistant |first=Pat |last=Murphy |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 June 2016 |access-date=2 June 2016}} He was not retained following the appointment of Steve Bruce in October 2016.{{cite web|title=Aston Villa will part company with Steve Clarke|url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-part-company-steve-12016053|website=Birmingham Mail|date=12 October 2016|access-date=9 November 2016}}

=Kilmarnock=

After a year out of football, Clarke was appointed manager of Scottish Premiership club Kilmarnock, the club he had supported as a child,{{cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/steve-clarke-always-been-kilmarnock-11758402|title=Steve Clarke has ALWAYS been a Kilmarnock fan and here's the proof|date=27 December 2017|work=Daily Record}} on 14 October 2017.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41621094 |title=Kilmarnock: Steve Clarke is named the club's new manager |first=John |last=Barnes |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 October 2017 |access-date=16 October 2017}} When he took over, the club sat bottom of the league table. His first game as Kilmarnock manager, which was his first involvement at a Scottish club match for 30 years, ended in a 1–1 draw at Rangers.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41755913 |title=Pedro Caixinha determined to continue as Rangers manager |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 October 2017 |access-date=26 October 2017}} Three days later, Clarke's side travelled to reigning champions Celtic and once again gained a 1–1 draw.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41703762|title=Celtic 1-1 Kilmarnock|date=28 October 2017|access-date=7 May 2019}} Following the league's winter break, Kilmarnock recorded a home victory over leaders Celtic, with Youssouf Mulumbu scoring the only goal to inflict what was only the second domestic defeat on the Glasgow club's manager Brendan Rodgers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42842297|title=Kilmarnock 1-0 Celtic|date=3 February 2018|access-date=7 May 2019}} Kilmarnock finished the season in fifth place, setting a new club record points tally of 59 in the process.{{Cite web|url=http://www.kilmarnockfc.co.uk/Article.asp?id=7231|title=Kilmarnock 1-0 Hearts: Erwin gives Killie record total|website=www.kilmarnockfc.co.uk|access-date=7 May 2019}} Clarke was named the SFWA Manager of the Year for 2017–18.

Clarke continued his impressive work the next season, including another win over Celtic and two over Rangers,[https://www.fitbastats.com/kilmarnock/team_results_list.php?opposition=0&from=148&to=148&competition=0&venue=0&update=Update Kilmarnock Result History (Filter: 2018/2019)], FitbaStats culminating in a third-place finish and European qualification for Kilmarnock.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48328882 |title=Steve Clarke: Kilmarnock boss 'sorry for not winning trophy' |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 May 2019 |access-date=19 May 2019}} He also won both manager of the year awards, from PFA Scotland and the SFWA. Immediately after the league season ended, Clarke left Kilmarnock to take the national team manager position.

=Scotland=

In May 2019, Clarke was appointed manager of the Scotland national team on a contract due to run until the end of 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48303984 |title=Steve Clarke is named new Scotland manager |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 May 2019 |access-date=20 May 2019}} On his debut on 8 June, the Scots won 2–1 at home to Cyprus in UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying.{{cite news |title=Steve Clarke: Scotland character in Cyprus win 'bodes well for future' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48568551 |access-date=30 September 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 June 2019}} The team then suffered four consecutive defeats against Belgium and Russia, two of them by 4–0 margins, which ended any hope of qualifying automatically for Euro 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50009185 |title=Scotland: Russia thumping must be 'lowest of the low' - Steve Clarke |first=Alasdair |last=Lamont |website=BBC Sport |date=10 October 2019 |access-date=11 October 2019}} On 12 November 2020, Scotland defeated Serbia 4–5 on penalties after a 1–1 draw to take their place in the delayed finals via the UEFA Nations League route, their first major tournament since 1998.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54819938 Serbia 1-1 Scotland: Visitors win 5-4 on penalties to end 23-year finals wait], BBC Sport, 12 November 2020 In the tournament Scotland drew with England at Wembley,{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jun/18/england-scotland-euro-2020-match-report |title=England frustrated by steely Scotland in Euro 2020 stalemate at Wembley |first=David |last=Hytner |newspaper=The Guardian |date=18 June 2021}} but defeats at Hampden to Czech Republic and Croatia meant that Scotland finished bottom of Group D.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51198439 |title=Croatia 3–1 Scotland |first=Scott |last=Mullen |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 June 2021 |access-date=23 June 2021}}

Six consecutive wins later that year meant that Scotland finished second in Group F of 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification. This progressed the team into the play-offs, where they lost 3–1 to Ukraine in a semi-final at Hampden.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59425818 |title=Scotland to face Ukraine in World Cup play-off semi-finals |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 November 2021 |accessdate=27 November 2021}} Later that year, Scotland won promotion to League A by winning their League B group in the 2022–23 competition.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62959155 |title=Ukraine 0-0 Scotland: Steve Clarke's side earn Nations League promotion |website=BBC Sport |date=27 September 2022 |accessdate=27 September 2022}}

Ahead of UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying, Clarke signed a new contract with the SFA that is due to run until 2026.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65065415 |title=Steve Clarke agrees Scotland extension to remain as head coach until 2026 |website=BBC Sport |date=24 March 2023 |accessdate=26 March 2023}} Scotland won their first five matches in Euro 2024 qualifying, against Cyprus (twice), Spain, Norway and Georgia. They achieved qualification for the tournament on 15 October 2023, with two matches to spare.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67092471 |title=Scotland qualify for Euro 2024 finals in Germany as Spain beat Norway |website=BBC Sport |date=15 October 2023 |accessdate=16 October 2023}}

Career statistics

=International=

National team	Year	Apps
class=wikitable style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year
rowspan="3"\|Scotland{{SFA profile\|id=1479\|name=Stevie Clarke}} \|1987	3	0
1988	2	0
1994	1	0
colspan=2\|Total	6	0

=Managerial record=

class=wikitable style="text-align: center" \|+ Managerial record by team and tenure
rowspan=2\|Team !rowspan=2\|From !rowspan=2\|To !colspan=5\|Record !rowspan=2\|{{abbr\|Ref\|Reference}}
{{abbr\|P\|Matches played}}	{{abbr\|W\|Matches won}}	{{abbr\|D\|Matches drawn}}	{{abbr\|L\|Matches lost}}	{{abbr\|Win %\|Win percentage}}
align=centre\|Newcastle United (caretaker) \|align=centre\|28 August 1999 \|align=centre\|2 September 1999 {{WDL\|1\|0\|0\|1\|decimals=2}} \|{{cite web \|title=Managers: Steve Clarke \|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=1579 \|work=Soccerbase \|publisher=Centurycomm \|access-date=27 March 2017}}
align=centre\|West Bromwich Albion \|align=centre\|8 June 2012 \|align=centre\|14 December 2013 {{WDL\|60\|19\|15\|26\|decimals=2}} \|{{cite web \|title=Steve Clarke sacked as West Brom head coach \|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25385000 \|publisher=BBC Sport \|date=14 December 2013 \|access-date=27 March 2017}}
align=centre\|Reading \|align=centre\|16 December 2014 \|align=centre\|4 December 2015 {{WDL\|53\|19\|14\|20\|decimals=2}} \|
align=centre\|Kilmarnock \|align=centre\|14 October 2017 \|align=centre\|20 May 2019 {{WDL\|79\|40\|22\|17\|decimals=2}} \|{{cite web \|title=Kilmarnock: Results/matches: 2017/18 \|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=1455&teamTabs=results&season_id=150 \|work=Soccerbase \|publisher=Centurycomm \|access-date=16 October 2017}}
align=centre\|Scotland \|align=centre\|20 May 2019 \|align=centre\|Present {{WDL\|68\|29\|15\|24\|decimals=2}} \|[https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=1579 Managers: Steve Clarke], Soccerbase{{efn\|Clarke's profile at the Scottish Football Association website records Scotland's penalty shootout victories over Israel and Serbia in 2020 as wins;[https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/managers/?mid=211564 Steve Clarke Management Statistics], Scottish Football Association most statistical resources record the outcomes of such matches as a draw, albeit the winner of the shootout progresses, and they have been counted as draws in the table. As of 13 November 2020, the SFA page also included an extra game: the cancelled original date for the Israel fixture (26 March 2020) was recorded as a 0–0 draw, in addition to the match which was played (with the same scoreline) seven months later.}}
colspan=3\|Total {{WDLtot\|261\|107\|66\|88\|decimals=2}} !

class=wikitable style="text-align: center"

|+ Managerial record by team and tenure

rowspan=2|Team

!rowspan=2|From

!rowspan=2|To

!colspan=5|Record

!rowspan=2|{{abbr|Ref|Reference}}

align=centre|Newcastle United (caretaker)

|align=centre|28 August 1999

|align=centre|2 September 1999

|{{cite web |title=Managers: Steve Clarke |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=1579 |work=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=27 March 2017}}

align=centre|West Bromwich Albion

|align=centre|8 June 2012

|align=centre|14 December 2013

|{{cite web |title=Steve Clarke sacked as West Brom head coach |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25385000 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 December 2013 |access-date=27 March 2017}}

align=centre|Reading

|align=centre|16 December 2014

|align=centre|4 December 2015

align=centre|Kilmarnock

|align=centre|14 October 2017

|align=centre|20 May 2019

|{{cite web |title=Kilmarnock: Results/matches: 2017/18 |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=1455&teamTabs=results&season_id=150 |work=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=16 October 2017}}

align=centre|Scotland

|align=centre|20 May 2019

|align=centre|Present

|[https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=1579 Managers: Steve Clarke], Soccerbase{{efn|Clarke's profile at the Scottish Football Association website records Scotland's penalty shootout victories over Israel and Serbia in 2020 as wins;[https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/managers/?mid=211564 Steve Clarke Management Statistics], Scottish Football Association most statistical resources record the outcomes of such matches as a draw, albeit the winner of the shootout progresses, and they have been counted as draws in the table. As of 13 November 2020, the SFA page also included an extra game: the cancelled original date for the Israel fixture (26 March 2020) was recorded as a 0–0 draw, in addition to the match which was played (with the same scoreline) seven months later.}}

colspan=3|Total

Honours

=Player=

Chelsea

FA Cup: 1996–97{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/chelsea-cruelly-expose-boro-fault-lines-1262302.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/chelsea-cruelly-expose-boro-fault-lines-1262302.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Chelsea cruelly expose Boro fault lines |first=Glenn |last=Moore |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=19 May 1997 |access-date=13 October 2019}}
Football League Cup: 1997–98{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-viallis-selflessness-primes-chelseas-deserved-victory-1153305.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-viallis-selflessness-primes-chelseas-deserved-victory-1153305.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Football: Vialli's selflessness primes Chelsea's deserved victory |first=Glenn |last=Moore |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=30 March 1998 |access-date=13 October 2019}}
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1997–98{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-zolas-instant-impact-for-chelsea-1160022.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-zolas-instant-impact-for-chelsea-1160022.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Football: Zola's instant impact for Chelsea |first=Phil |last=Shaw |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=14 May 1998 |access-date=13 October 2019}}

Individual

Chelsea Player of the Year: 1994{{Cite web |title=Steve Clarke |url=https://www.chelseafc.com/en/steve-clarke |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=chelseafc.com}}
Chelsea Centenary XI: 2004–05{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/west-brom-everything-you-need-218509 |title=West Brom: Everything you need to know about Steve Clarke |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=10 October 2012 |access-date=9 March 2020}}

=Assistant Manager=

Chelsea

=Manager=

Scotland

UEFA Nations League
League B (1): 2022–23

Individual

SFWA Manager of the Year: 2017–18,{{cite web| url = https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/spfl/scottish-premiership/rangers-celtics-bosses-cant-contention-16044493| title = Why Rangers and Celtic's bosses can't be in contention for Manager of the Year - Football Scotland| date = 29 March 2019}} 2018–19{{Cite web|url=https://www.scottishfwa.com/manager-of-the-year|title = Manager of the Year}}
PFA Scotland Manager of the Year: 2018–19{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48171966 |title=James Forrest, Steve Clarke & Ryan Kent win PFA Scotland annual awards |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 May 2019 |access-date=6 May 2019}}
SPFL Premiership Manager of the Year: 2018–19{{cite web | url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/17648172.kilmarnock-boss-steve-clarke-named-ladbrokes-premiership-manager-of-the-year/ | title=Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke named Ladbrokes Premiership Manager of the Year | work=Herald Scotland | date=17 May 2019 | access-date=21 May 2019}}
Premier League Manager of the Month: November 2012{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/managers/4677/Steve-Clarke/overview |title=Manager profile: Steve Clarke |publisher=Premier League |access-date=19 September 2018}}
Scottish Premiership Manager of the Month: December 2017,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42692369 |title=Kilmarnock: Kris Boyd and Steve Clarke win December awards |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 January 2018 |access-date=15 January 2018}} February 2018,{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43338876 |title=Steve Clarke: Kilmarnock boss wins manager of the month award |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 March 2018 |access-date=10 March 2018}} March 2018{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43728802 |title=Steve Clarke: Kilmarnock boss collects third monthly manager award in a row |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 April 2018 |access-date=19 April 2018}}

References

External links

{{Soccerbase player|name=Steve Clarke player career statistics}}
{{Soccerbase manager|1579|Steve Clarke}}
{{SFA player|name=Stevie Clarke player profile}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20210923204339/https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/managers/?mid=211564 Steve Clarke manager profile] at the Scottish Football Association (archived)

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