"Scotland is a passionate country for football," says Sebastien Pocognoli.

You can say that again, mate.

It's all pretty brief and he gets a pat on the back and a 'well done' from Ian Maxwell after answering his only question.

We'll have full quotes here. Don't go anywhere.

Craig Mulholland, the Scottish FA's chief football officer, is talking about data a lot.

He says Sebastien Pocognoli hit all of their metrics.

Oh, here he comes.

He's joined by SFA chiefs Ian Maxwell and Craig Mulholland.

Watch along at the top of this page. We'll also provide quotes here.

This elevator music while we watch a placeholder graphic continually loop is lovely, isn't it?

Said nobody. Ever.

Image source, SNS

As we wait for Sebastien to take his seat, let's get a sense of how all of you are feeling about his appointment.

Excited or not? Use those thumbs below...

We asked for your views after Sebastien Pocognoli was named the new head coach of Scotland.

Here's what some of you said:

Benjamin: It is going to be an interesting campaign coming up. Excited to see how it goes and fair play to the Scottish FA for being bold. Just hope it works out for us all, but this is Scotland and anything is possible!

Derek: I just hope that Pocognoli takes a fresh look at the players available and doesn't just pick the same old faces that have failed miserably during Steve Clarke's time as head coach. Time for new Scottish talent to get a chance.

Neil: Hopefully he helps the team progress and achieves Euro 2028 qualification. That has to be the benchmark post-Clarke. Solidifying our defensive system has to be a priority, ensuring the team doesn't put itself under early pressure by losing early goals like it did in the World Cup. He will have a rebuild job to do, but there's no reason to believe that Scotland cannot build on Clarke's legacy with a good crop of younger players.

Image source, Getty Images

It is clear the Scottish FA feel they have landed a serious coach.

They say they have appointed "one of Europe's brightest emerging coaching talents" by securing Sebastien Pocognoli.

Looking at his record against back-to-back Champions League winners PSG in France, you can understand why they think that.

Pocognoli's Monaco did the double over PSG last term, winning 1-0 at home before earning a very impressive 3-1 victory in Paris in March.

The pair also met in the Champions League knockout phase last season, with eventual tournament winners PSG progressing narrowly on aggregate.

A title winner in his homeland while managing Union Saint-Gilloise, Sebastien Pocognoli brings a reputation for playing eye-catching football.

However, the former left-back was sacked as Monaco boss in June after just eight months, making him available to the Scottish FA.

Following Steve Clarke's record-breaking spell, the demands on Pocognoli will be to deliver the same results as his predecessor, or better, while shifting the playing style and refreshing the squad.

That ain't an easy gig. We had a look at what awaits the new Scotland head coach.

Our gossip column this morning might give you a hint about who Sebastien Pocognoli is looking to add to his backroom team.

Hint: he's also Belgian, played for Everton in the Premier League, and is pictured in the graphic below.

Read Monday's Scottish football gossip

Sebastien Pocognoli spent time in England during his playing career, turning out for West Brom and Brighton, and earned 13 caps for Belgium.

After his sacking by Monaco in early June, he said he had learned lessons and would take time to prepare for his next job "with calm and determination".

He left having finished seventh in his sole season in Ligue 1, having been lured from Union Saint-Gilloise in the October.

It was at the progressive Belgian club - like Hearts, part of the Jamestown orbit - where he forged his reputation.

After his 17-year career as a left-back in the top divisions in England, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium ended, he worked with the youngsters at USG and with the Belgian national set-up.

Then, in 2024, he ascended to USG's senior team, winning the Belgian Super Cup almost immediately before leading the club to a first league title since 1935 and a tilt at the Champions League.

Before long, Monaco came calling, impressed by Pocognoli's bold approach. He was sacked in June after just eight months in the job.

Image source, Scottish FA

Scotland have a new head coach.

Belgian Sebastien Pocognoli becomes just the second foreign boss of the men's national team.

He replaces Steve Clarke and will introduce himself to the Scottish media shortly.

Barring any technical hitches, you should be able to watch that here.

Read more: Pocognoli confirmed as Scotland boss