Sébastien Pocognoli will announce his first Scotland squad on Tuesday ahead of the new UEFA Nations League campaign, having confirmed his backroom staff.
Alan Irvine will continue as Assistant Coach.
A highly respected figure on the training pitch, Irvine is David Moyes’ trusted number two at Everton and is looking forward to being reunited with Pocognoli, who he signed as a player during his own spell in charge of West Bromwich Albion.
He brings over 30 years of coaching experience at the top level as a Manager and Assistant Manager, most recently at the World Cup.
Luke Benstead will join the coaching team also as an Assistant Coach and is a progressive, modern, far-travelled coach who can count on the likes of Jose Mourinho as a mentor.
Benstead cut his coaching teeth at Tranmere Rovers, before making the step up to Everton. His work at Goodison Park caught the eye, and he was rewarded with a move to Manchester United, working as a Performance Analyst under Mourinho.
Benstead spent seven years as Assistant Coach of the Belgian national side, working alongside Roberto Martinez and Domenico Tedesco.
His influence in Belgium extended beyond the senior squad, with responsibilities across their national youth teams and for methodology development and national team alignment.
He will leave his current role as assistant and set-piece coach of Istanbul Başakşehir in the Turkish Süper Lig and join the Scottish FA in a full-time capacity.
Cameron Campbell arrives as Sebastien’s third Assistant Coach, with a reputation as one of the brightest up-and-coming coaching talents to have emerged from Scottish football in recent years.
Campbell is currently First Team Coach at Tottenham Hotspur, working under Roberto De Zerbi and, previously, Thomas Frank. He moved to the English Premier League after a successful spell as Transition Coach and Head of Talent at RB Leipzig.
Prior to that he was Professional Phase Coach at Rangers and Head of Lower Academy at the world-renowned Right To Dream Academy, having kicked off his coaching career within the youth setup at Aberdeen.
Irvine, Benstead and Campbell will work alongside Goalkeeping Coach Chris Woods.
On the back of a distinguished playing career, he’s held coaching positions with Everton, Manchester United, West Ham and the US national team before linking up Scotland.
The Men’s A staff will be supported by the recently-appointed Scotland Under-21 coaching duo of Tony Docherty and Steven Naismith to ensure reinforced alignment between both setups.
Andrew Hughes departs, having recently been appointed as a set-piece specialist coach for Athletic Bilbao.
Scotland Men’s National Team Head Coach Sébastien Pocognoli said: “It was important for me to assemble the right backroom staff at the start of this new challenge. I took my time and did my research, and I’m delighted with the group we have.
“Alan Irvine signed me for West Bromwich Albion as a player back in 2014. Back then, I couldn’t have predicted that our paths would lead to the Scotland National Team.
“I am really pleased that Alan didn’t hesitate in agreeing to stay on. His passion for the role is obvious, as is his quality on the training pitch. He has the respect of everyone who has worked with him.
“His coaching career has lasted more than 30 years and he will bring invaluable experience to our group, particularly having recently experienced the FIFA World Cup and, of course, his ongoing work with Everton in the English Premier League.
“I was very impressed by Cameron Campbell when I met him, and the recommendations I have received on him from trusted contacts in the English Premier League and in Germany, has been outstanding.
“It is a bonus that Cameron is Scottish, so he has that level of familiarity with the game here, but he has been appointed for his ability as one of Europe’s outstanding young coaches – not his nationality.
“You only have to look at the level he has worked at – and the players and coaches he has worked with – to see that he will bring a lot to the squad.
“Luke was known to me from his time in Belgium, where he has worked with some big talents in his seven years with the national team.
“He has such a rounded skillset, having worked as a performance analyst then as an assistant coach at the highest level, with that added responsibility for set-pieces, which he will continue with Scotland. His enthusiasm to join this exciting project really stood out.
“The same applies to Chris Woods. Not only on the back of a standout playing career, where he played international football, but for his expertise as a goalkeeping coach working with some excellent goalkeepers. Like Alan, he is clearly proud to represent Scotland and knows our group well.
“I have allocated all of the staff very clear responsibilities. I know they are all looking forward to the forthcoming camp and I am excited to get to work with them.”
The Scottish FA’s Chief Football Officer, Craig Mulholland, added: “Although we have only worked together for a short time, it came as no surprise to me, and the association, that Sébastien was as meticulous in assembling his backroom staff as he is every other aspect of his job.
“He had a clear vision for the profiles he wanted, but took his time in making the right selections. I am grateful for the support of the Scottish FA board in supporting the recruitment of the staff who Sébastien wanted to complete his team.
“I think what you can see now is an exciting group of staff that blends potential with experience, with no shortage of innovation and hunger.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Andrew Hughes for his work with the national team and wish him well in his new position.
“Now, like everyone, I’m looking forward to Sébastien’s first squad selection and the start of a new UEFA Nations League campaign and an exciting time for our national team.”
