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Craig Brown – who holds the record as the longest-serving manager of Scotland’s national team – has passed away at the age of 82.
Glasgow-born Brown took charge of 71 matches for his country from 1993 to 2001. He led Scotland to UEFA EURO 1996 in England, as well as the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France – the last time that Scotland qualified for the FIFA World Cup finals.
“Words cannot do justice to the impact Craig Brown has had on Scottish football and on behalf of the Scottish FA,” said Scottish Football Association president Mike Mulraney in paying tribute.
Brown’s short career as a player was ended early by a series of knee injuries. A youth player at Kilmarnock, he turned professional at Rangers in 1957, but his opportunities were limited and he moved on to Dundee in 1961 – becoming part of the Dundee side that won the Scottish League title the following season for the first and only time in their history to date.
Over three decades of management
Brown started his 36-year managerial career at Clyde, where he won two Scottish second division titles while working as a primary school head teacher. He was also in charge of Scotland’s Under-21 team for seven years before being asked to join Alex Ferguson’s backroom staff for the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico.
He went on to serve as assistant to future UEFA technical director Andy Roxburgh, reaching the 1990 FIFA World Cup and EURO 1992 finals before taking over the full reins in 1993. He was also put in charge of Scotland’s youth teams, leading the Under-16 side to a FIFA World Championship final in 1989 and the Under-21 team to the UEFA European Championship semifinals in 1992.
Meticulous and passionate
“He was meticulous in his coaching preparation and passionate in his support of Scottish football,” Mulraney said. “Craig deserves his place in the pantheon of great coaches. He will be missed – but never forgotten – by those who had the pleasure of his company, or by the fans and players who shared in his successes as Scotland manager.”
After managing Scotland, Brown had spells in charge of Preston North End and Motherwell, before ending his career at Aberdeen in 2013 and becoming a director and club ambassador. He was also a UEFA technical instructor from 2000 to 2004.
