Steve Clarke: Scotland head coach extends contract & revamps backroom team
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John Carver, left, continues as Steve Clarke's Scotland assistant but Steve Woods and Steven Reid have left the coaching staff
Head coach Steve Clarke aims to satisfy Scotland's craving to qualify for more major tournaments after extending his contract to the end of Euro 2024.
Clarke led Scotland to this summer's delayed Euro 2020, a first finals in 23 years for the men's national team.
The 57-year-old's deal was due to end after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with Scotland resuming their qualifying bid next month.
"It's nice when your bosses think you've done a decent job," Clarke said.
"The taste we got of the European Championship in the summer has got everybody excited for more so hopefully we can deliver.
"The contract was relatively straightforward. It took me a little while to get to grips with the different aspects of the national job but recently I've enjoyed it.
"It takes me out of comfort zone at times, which is good, I like to challenge myself, and hopefully we can have more success."
Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell says it "made sense on all sides" to extend Clarke's contract after he brought "success and stability to the national team".
Clarke has also revamped his backroom staff, with Austin MacPhee and goalkeeping coach Chris Woods joining as assistant Steven Reid and Stevie Woods step down.
Clarke aims to "take the benefits" from Euro 2020 - in which Scotland were eliminated in the group stage - to revive his side's World Cup hopes.
The Scots sit second in Group F, four points behind Denmark, after three games. Clarke's men begin their triple-header with a trip to face the Danes next week, followed by Moldova at Hampden and Austria away.
"I felt pride for the country that we were back involved in a major tournament," said Clarke. "And pride for the players that we acquitted ourselves well, attacked every game, played on the front foot.
"We didn't get the football breaks and didn't get the points we felt we deserved. We'll learn our lessons and be better for it."
Meet Clarke's new coaches
New national team coach Austin MacPhee previously worked in Scotland with Hearts
MacPhee has relinquished a post with Northern Ireland to work for his home country, with Reid leaving for family reasons after balancing roles with Scotland and Nottingham Forest.
Former England and Rangers goalkeeper Chris Woods replaces Stevie Woods, who departs to focus on his Celtic commitments. John Carver remains Scotland's assistant head coach.
"The first thing for me is to pay tribute to Steven and Stevie Woods, who were a big part of my team," said Clarke.
"They are working full-time at their clubs. Especially in Steven Reid's case he is working in Nottingham, his family live in London, and he is coming away every international break.
"So I knew pretty early after the Euros that he was going to leave."
Former Hearts assistant MacPhee, 41, worked initially with Michael O'Neill as Northern Ireland reached Euro 2016 and stayed on as part of Ian Baraclough's staff.
He joined Aston Villa recently as a set-piece coach after a spell as assistant manager of FC Midtjylland.
Chris Woods, 61, a four-time Scottish title winner with Rangers, spent 15 years as goalkeeping coach at Everton before spells with Manchester United, West Ham and the USA national team.
"Austin is different to Steven, he will bring a different dynamic to the squad and he also has a good record and reputation in set-plays, which is an area where we can improve," said Clarke.
"Chris knows the Scottish scene and the little peculiarities of Scottish football.
"I believe he did his coaching badges up here as well and the goalkeepers will enjoy working with him."
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