Former Scotland manager Craig Brown dies aged 82 | OneFootball

The much-loved former Scotland manager Craig Brown has died at the age of 82.

“Craig died peacefully today after a short illness in University Hospital, Ayr, surrounded by close family members,” said a statement from Brown’s family on Monday.

“The family wish to express their deep appreciation of the outstanding care and attention provided by hospital staff and the countless messages of support and sympathy from friends and colleagues. At this particularly sad time the family now requests that their privacy is respected during the grieving process.”

As a player Brown played for Rangers, Dundee and Falkirk before he was forced to retire early with a knee injury.

His first coaching assignment took him to Clyde, before he was part of Alex Ferguson’s backroom staff when Scotland played at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

After also managing the U21s, Brown took charge of Scotland’s senior team in 1993 and led them to Euro 96 and the 1998 World Cup.

He coached Scotland for eight years before stepping down in 2002 and enjoying spells at club level with Preston North End, Motherwell and Aberdeen afterwards.

He was awarded a CBE for services to football in 1999, an honorary doctorate in 2001 from Abertay University, and is considered by many to be Scotland’s greatest ever manager.