He stood on the gantry at Hampden - Sebastien Pocognoli, 39 years young, but with the gnarled face of a former full-back with 300 games and more under his belt, 16 years younger than Steve Clarke was when he took the job at the age of 55. Younger than most, to be fair. Younger, for sure, than any manager who appeared at the last World Cup, younger even than Julian Nagelsmann, the then Germany manager, by a week.
The World Cup had 25 managers who were in their 50s, 11 in their 60s and five in their 70s. Pocognoli is in short pants by comparison. Look around the world and it's hard to find an international coach who is his junior.
If the Tartan Army wanted different, then they've got it, with bells on. Different in the way he wants his team to play - front-foot, high press, high intensity, "mastery in possession" - as opposed to Clarke's style, which leaned into risk aversion too often for the liking of the fans. All we know of Pocognoli comes from a mere 107 senior games as manager of Union Saint-Gilloise and Monaco.
He's a rookie and a gamble - but an intriguing one. There's an air of mystery and buzz about this one. A high-wire act from the Scottish FA.
Is he Sebastien or Seb or Sebba, as some call him? "Also Poco," said the new Scotland head coach, with half a smile. Imagine Clarke saying: "Call me Stevo or Clarkey, if you wish." The differences between the two men stretch as long as the Hampden pitch, the one similarity his employers are banking on is that he becomes the serial qualifier Clarke became.
Pocognoli 'feels connection' with 'passionate' Scotland What awaits new Scotland head coach Pocognoli? Scottish FA withdraws support for Fifa president Infantino His youth is a huge talking point, as is the fact he'll be pitting his wits against some very experienced operators in the months and years ahead. He has signed an initial two-year deal.
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