Every Scotland manager ranked on their major tournament record - where does Steve Clarke place?

Sports Writer

Published 25th Jun 2026, 12:37 GMT

Where does Steve Clarke rank in the list of best Scotland managers?

Scotland’s hopes of making the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in history are hanging by a thread after their 3-0 defeat to Brazil on Wednesday night.

Stuck in a holding pen over the next 72 hours, Steve Clarke’s men will be forced to watch as they await the results of others matches to see if they end the group stage as once of the best third-placed teams. It’s agony - with no promises at the end of the three day wait.

The first time the national team have competed in the World Cup since 1998, Steve Clarke retains hope of becoming the first manager in Scottish football history to lead the team to the knockout stages of a major tournament. The group stages were tricky, and the mood is low, but nothing is decided yet.

But how does Clarke’s tournament record compare to those who came before him? In total, they’ve been nine managers who have led Scotland into 12 major tournaments.

Here, The Scotsman rank every Scotland manager based on their tournament record - including the European Championships or World Cup - based on their major tournament record:

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Ormond went unbeaten with Scotland at the World Cup in 1974, but exited the tournament on goal difference. He has a 33.3% win record from his three games after beating Zaire, prior to draws with Brazil and Yugoslavia. His tournament record is as follows: P3, W1, D2, L0, GD: +1

1. Willie Ormond - 33%

Ormond went unbeaten with Scotland at the World Cup in 1974, but exited the tournament on goal difference. He has a 33.3% win record from his three games after beating Zaire, prior to draws with Brazil and Yugoslavia. His tournament record is as follows: P3, W1, D2, L0, GD: +1 | PA

Another former Scotland boss with a 33% win ratio at major tournaments, the Celtic icon led the team to the World Cup in Spain in 1982, where he won the opening game against New Zealand 5-2. However, Scotland were sent home after a 4-1 to Brazil, and a draw with the Soviet Union. His tournament record is as follows: P3, W1, D1, L1, GD: 0.

2. Jock Stein - 33%

Another former Scotland boss with a 33% win ratio at major tournaments, the Celtic icon led the team to the World Cup in Spain in 1982, where he won the opening game against New Zealand 5-2. However, Scotland were sent home after a 4-1 to Brazil, and a draw with the Soviet Union. His tournament record is as follows: P3, W1, D1, L1, GD: 0. | PA

One of four managers to pick up a 33% win ratio at major tournaments for Scotland, his side's 3-2 win over the Netherlands at the World Cup in 1978 is perhaps the most famous win of them all. Sadly, defeat to Peru in opening game, following by a draw against Iran, meant Scotland exited the tournament on goal difference once again. P3, W1, D1, L1, GD: -1

3. Ally MacLeod - 33%

One of four managers to pick up a 33% win ratio at major tournaments for Scotland, his side's 3-2 win over the Netherlands at the World Cup in 1978 is perhaps the most famous win of them all. Sadly, defeat to Peru in opening game, following by a draw against Iran, meant Scotland exited the tournament on goal difference once again. P3, W1, D1, L1, GD: -1 | PA

With a 33.3% win record, Roxburgh is Scotland's joint most successful tournament manager. Leading the team at both the World Cup 1990 and Euro 1992. His tournament record is as follows: P6, W2, D0, L4, GD: -3.

4. Andy Roxburgh - 33%

With a 33.3% win record, Roxburgh is Scotland's joint most successful tournament manager. Leading the team at both the World Cup 1990 and Euro 1992. His tournament record is as follows: P6, W2, D0, L4, GD: -3. | United Archives via Getty Images

World Cup 2026 Scotland Steve Clarke