E104 - Steve Clarke: Playing with the expectation of success and not the fear of failure

Steve Clarke is the current Scotland National Team Head Coach.

As a player Steve played for St Mirren and Chelsea winning three major trophies. He also won six Scotland senior caps. After finishing his playing career, Steve assisted Ruud Gullit at Newcastle United, Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, Gianfranco Zola at West Ham United and Sir Kenny Dalglish at Liverpool.

In his first outright managerial role, he led West Bromwich Albion to eighth place in the Premier League, achieving a record points total and highest-ever finish for the club. At Kilmarnock he set a new club record points tally of 59 in the process. 

This podcast was recorded live at the Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh. 

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# Summary of the Podcast Episode with Steve Clarke

**Introduction:**

* Steve Clarke, the current Scotland National Team Head Coach, shared his experiences as a player, assistant coach, and manager.
* The podcast was recorded live at the Queen's Hall in Edinburgh.

**Key Points:**

1. **High Performance:**
- Steve defines high performance as a pathway to success, although the definition of success can vary.
- Success may not always involve lifting a trophy; it can be measured in different ways.
- In football, success for him was keeping West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League, while achieving a club-record points total at Kilmarnock.

2. **Football Journey:**
- Steve's football career started relatively late compared to others.
- He grew up on the Ayrshire coast and initially played in the Ayrshire Junior League, which toughened him up.
- He was eventually picked up by St. Bernard's and played at a provisional level before turning professional.
- Steve had a successful playing career, representing St. Mirren and Chelsea, and earning six Scotland senior caps.

3. **Honesty and Values:**
- Steve emphasizes the importance of honesty and straightforwardness in football management and dressing rooms.
- He believes in creating an environment where players and staff can be honest with each other.
- Steve learned the value of honesty and hard work from his upbringing and early football experiences.
- He tries to instill these values in his teams by setting an example and being open with his players.

4. **Dealing with Different Personalities:**
- Steve acknowledges that club management is different from national team management due to the shorter time spent with players.
- In club environments, he has more time to work with players daily and instill his values.
- With the national team, he has limited time and needs to be more direct and honest with players to address issues.
- Steve understands that players may have an entourage or advisors who might provide different perspectives, but he tries to be honest and explain his decisions to the players.

5. **Changing the Culture in the Scotland National Team:**
- Steve faced a challenge when he took over as Scotland manager, as the team had a history of failure and a losing mentality.
- He decided to change the team's formation and tactics to better suit the players' strengths.
- Steve also had important conversations with key players like Kieran Tierney and Lyndon Dykes to persuade them to commit to the team and play in specific roles.
- The changes resulted in improved performances and a sense of belief among the players.

6. **Leadership and Influence of Key Players:**
- Steve highlights the importance of having leaders and influential players in the Scotland squad.
- Players like Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, Scott McTominay, and John McGinn bring an assuredness and confidence to the team.
- These players have achieved success at club level and bring a winning mentality to the national team.
- Steve believes that having good people and leaders in the squad is essential for building a successful team.

7. **Overcoming the Mindset of Failure:**
- Steve admits that he underestimated the deep-rooted mindset of failure and lack of belief in the Scotland team.
- He and the players worked to shake off this mindset, but it took time and effort.
- The team's performance in the playoff final against Serbia, where they conceded a late goal after dominating the game, was a turning point.
- Despite the disappointment, the performance showed the players and the nation that they could compete with strong opponents.

**Conclusion:**

The podcast with Steve Clarke provided insights into the challenges and triumphs of being a football manager, the importance of honesty and values in team building, and the power of belief and leadership in overcoming adversity.

# Steve Clarke: The Scotland Manager

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**Summary**

In this episode of The High Performance Podcast, host Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes sit down with Steve Clarke, the current Scotland National Team Head Coach. Clarke shares his insights on leadership, team building, and the importance of well-being in high-performance environments.

Clarke began his career as a player for St Mirren and Chelsea, winning three major trophies. He also earned six Scotland senior caps. After retiring as a player, Clarke assisted several renowned managers, including Ruud Gullit, Jose Mourinho, Gianfranco Zola, and Sir Kenny Dalglish.

In his first managerial role, Clarke led West Bromwich Albion to an eighth-place finish in the Premier League, achieving a record points total and highest-ever finish for the club. He also had success at Kilmarnock, setting a new club record points tally of 59.

Clarke was appointed Scotland manager in 2019 and has since led the team to their first major tournament in 23 years, the UEFA European Championship in 2021. He emphasizes the importance of creating a positive and supportive environment for his players, fostering a sense of unity and purpose within the team.

Clarke highlights the significance of "world-class basics" in football, emphasizing the need for players to master the fundamentals and execute them consistently. He also discusses the importance of scouting and recruitment, stressing the need to acquire talented players who fit the team's style of play and culture.

When asked about the biggest challenge in team building, Clarke emphasizes the importance of getting the right players and creating a cohesive unit. He believes that 90% of the success of a team is determined by talent, while the remaining 10% comes from personality and relationships.

Clarke acknowledges that imposter syndrome can be a challenge for managers, but he personally has never experienced it. He attributes his confidence to his belief in his own abilities and his focus on doing the right thing for the team.

In response to a question about his team talk for a youth team playing against the Rangers Academy, Clarke emphasizes the importance of playing to the best of their ability, being organized, and enjoying the game. He believes that young players should focus on developing their skills and playing with passion, rather than worrying about the outcome.

Overall, Steve Clarke's appearance on The High Performance Podcast provides valuable insights into the world of football management, leadership, and team building. His emphasis on world-class basics, the importance of well-being, and his ability to create a positive and supportive environment for his players are key factors in his success as a manager.

# Steve Clarke: The Journey of a Scottish Football Legend

**Steve Clarke's Footballing Career:**

- As a player, Steve Clarke had a successful career with St Mirren and Chelsea, winning three major trophies.
- He also earned six senior caps for the Scotland national team.
- After retiring as a player, Clarke began his coaching career, assisting renowned managers such as Ruud Gullit, Jose Mourinho, Gianfranco Zola, and Sir Kenny Dalglish.

**Managerial Success:**

- Clarke's first managerial role was with West Bromwich Albion, where he led the team to an eighth-place finish in the Premier League, achieving a record points total and the club's highest-ever finish.
- At Kilmarnock, he set a new club record points tally of 59.

**Podcast Recording Details:**

- This podcast episode was recorded live at the Queen's Hall in Edinburgh.
- Pleo, the business expenses solution, is the sponsor of this podcast.

**Resources and Opportunities:**

- Educators and schools can sign up to receive resources related to National Careers Week by visiting <a href="https://www.thehighperformancepodcast.com/education-sign-up-first/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.thehighperformancepodcast.com/education-sign-up-first/</a>.
- Limited edition prints featuring inspiring messages are available in the podcast's shop at <a href="https://shop.thehighperformancepodcast.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://shop.thehighperformancepodcast.com/</a>.
- The High Performance Circle, a membership club offering exclusive content and resources, can be accessed at <a href="http://www.thehighperformancepodcast.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.thehighperformancepodcast.co.uk</a>.

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- This podcast is hosted on Acast.
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