No quick Brown decision

Scotland have seen their World Cup hopes dashed

Scottish Football Association chief executive David Taylor has reiterated the SFA's statement that no quick decision will be made on manager Craig Brown's future.

Taylor said on Friday that discussions surrounding Brown's future had been on the agenda for some time, but that no timescale would be put on them.

The Scotland manager has received more backing from the Tartan Army than in the press, despite Wednesday's 2-0 defeat by Belgium.

But most now agree that a new leader is inevitable and that Brown will stand down by December, when his contract expires, at the latest.

The position of team manager is crucial to the future of Scottish international football

David Taylor
SFA chief executive

"Craig Brown has been the most successful manager Scotland has ever had, with more matches in charge and more victories than any of his predecessors," said Taylor.

"His current contract as international team manager expires at the end of this year, so discussions with Craig about what happens thereafter are already planned.

"However, these discussions will necessarily be confidential and no public comment will be made about their progress until the matter is fully resolved.

"The position of team manager is crucial to the future of Scottish international football.

"Although everyone at the SFA shares the disappointment of our apparent failure to qualify for the World Cup, it would be entirely wrong for us to rush into any decisions, particularly as the Euro 2004 qualifying campaign is not likely to start until next September.

"I can confirm that Craig remains in position and under contract as international team manager."