Pocognoli’s prior experience of working as a youth coach at international level with Belgium would have ticked another box for the SFA. He also coached in the academies of USG and Genk.
During his playing career, he featured at almost every youth level for his nation before winning 13 caps for a side that has produced a long list of world-class talents for well over a decade.
Scotland have had their own mini golden generation, with captain Andy Robertson, John McGinn, Scott McTominay and others all continuing to play at Europe’s top level.
Clarke was emphatic in his exit interview with the SFA, saying the core he developed over his seven-year spell is “not finished yet”.
Many of Scotland’s World Cup squad, which was one of the oldest at the tournament, will go again for a Euros they are co-hosting in two years, but Pocognoli will be tasked with hitting the refresh button.
Much has been made of a potential crisis within youth development in Scottish football, which raises concerns about the future of the national team.
For now, Ben Gannon-Doak, 20, has become a Scotland regular over the past couple of years, while Findlay Curtis, 19, made two late cameos at the World Cup.
Tyler Fletcher was taken to the United States but did not feature. It remains to be seen his status will rise under Pocognoli or if fellow teenage midfielder Lennon Miller will be brought back into the fold.
Kieron Bowie, 23, also missed the cut but the striker will be playing in Serie A along with Miller next season.
Fans will expect to see striker Robbie Ure after a free-scoring spell with Sirius in Sweden resulted in a move to La Liga side Sevilla earlier this month.
The 22-year-old has fuelled the Tartan Army with hope that he can provide cutting edge at the top end of the pitch, something they have craved for some time.
