Sebastien Pocognoli's Scotland staff: Irvine stays, Benstead keeps set-piece role

Alan Irvine will continue as part of Scotland's refreshed coaching staff under new boss Sebastien Pocognoli, according to BBC Sport, with the Everton assistant staying on as the new backroom team takes shape.

BBC reports that the Scottish FA has confirmed the appointments of Luke Benstead and Cameron Campbell as assistants. Goalkeeping coach Chris Woods, who was part of the previous regime, is also in the group.

Irvine and Woods provide Scotland continuity

Irvine's involvement also preserves an existing connection with Pocognoli. During his brief spell at The Hawthorns in 2014, Irvine signed the Belgian as a player, giving their working relationship a history that predates these Scotland appointments.

In comments reported by BBC Sport, Pocognoli said he was really pleased that Irvine had agreed to remain without hesitation.

From a continuity perspective, Irvine and Woods give the refreshed group a link to the previous Scotland staff. Irvine also brings that earlier connection with the new head coach.

Campbell joins as Benstead continues set-piece work

Campbell, 35, became Tottenham Hotspur's first-team individual development coach last year, BBC reports. His recent coaching background adds experience of working specifically on individual player development to Pocognoli's group of assistants.

Benstead's route has included analytical and assistant coaching roles. A former Everton and Manchester United analyst, he was appointed Istanbul Basaksehir's assistant manager 12 months ago, according to the report.

Pocognoli also outlined a specific part of Benstead's Scotland role: he will continue to have responsibility for set-pieces. The head coach described that work as an added responsibility in comments carried by BBC Sport.

Taken together, the appointments combine returning Scotland coaches with experience in individual development, analysis and assistant management. Benstead's set-piece remit gives a concrete example of how one of those areas of experience will carry into his national-team work.

Pocognoli to name first Scotland squad on Tuesday

With his backroom team in place, the former Monaco and Union St-Gilloise boss will name his first Scotland squad on Tuesday, BBC reports. That announcement will come before his maiden camp in charge.

The extended international period includes two Nations League fixtures against Slovenia. Those games come either side of encounters with Switzerland and North Macedonia, setting the immediate fixture context for Pocognoli and his refreshed staff.