Ian Maxwell says the Scottish FA are not taking a gamble on Steve Clarke after handing the Scotland manager a new four year contract.
Weeks of speculation over the future of the 62-year-old ended when the governing body confirmed the news of an agreement until 2030.
Scotland’s national team fly to the United States to complete preparations for their first appearance at the World Cup finals in 28 years after a Hampden send-off against Curacao.
Facing calls to delay a final decision on Clarke’s future until the outcome of the Group C games against Haiti, Morocco and Brazil was known, the Scottish FA chose to reward the Ayrshire man for becoming the first national team manager in history to reach three major tournaments. The decision to extend by four years before flying to America raised eyebrows.
“How is it a gamble to give a guy who had taken us to three out of four major finals a new contract?” asked Maxwell.
“That is a problem with football. Everybody is instant. They say, ‘That manager has lost a game, let’s sack him’.
"That is not how we work. We have always taken a longer-term, balanced view on it.
“When you look how Steve has done since he came, it’s pretty staggering for anyone to say that giving him a new contract is a gamble.”
Appointed in 2019 Clarke is now the longest serving Scotland manager of all time. While familiarity has bred a level of contempt amongst some fans Maxwell believes plenty will see the sense in sticking with the man who led the national team back to their first major tournament in 23 years when they reached the delayed EURO 2020 finals
“Regardless of what you do, some people will love it and some will hate it.
“It’s my job and the association’s job to make decisions that we think are the right ones for the long term future of the men's national team.
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Clarke will discuss his contract for the first time ahead of the Curacao game today. Previously undecided on staying put, the manager warmed to the idea and says he feels ‘honoured’ to be leading the team to the United States with his future resolved. The SFA will ask Clarke to work with new Chief Football Officer Craig Mulholland to improve the flow of young Scots gaining first team football.
“Stability is the key to success in football and this has certainly been the case during my last seven years as Head Coach. It’s important we evolve and make improvements and I look forward to working with Craig to increase the pipeline of talent to the senior squad through the national youth teams.
“For now, it’s all about preparing for the World Cup, starting against Curaçao this weekend.”
Branding the new contract a ‘no brainer’ Maxwell said agreement had been delayed by the amount of work which had to be done to prepare for the World Cup.
Defending the decision to give Clarke four years – rather than the two years anticipated – he played down any suggestion of a break clause in the deal.
“It’s four years,” said the SFA CEO. “The same contract he has always signed.
“Every contract Steve has signed has been for four years.
“This is a very consistent length of contract for international managers.
“Carlo Ancelotti, Jesse Marsch and Michael O’Neill have just done the same.
“It’s two cycles and it takes away any of the negativity and any of the instant, ‘He’s only got two years, it’s not gone well, let’s change it..’
“We want him to be here for a long time and he wants that too.
“So let’s set out the parameters and look at it as a long-term investment into each other.”
