Craig Brown: Former Scotland manager dies aged 82

Brown was the last manager to lead Scotland to a men’s World Cup when he took charge of the team in France 25 years ago

Craig Brown has died at the age of 82 (Lynne Cameron/PA) (PA Archive)

Craig Brown, the former Scotland manager who led the country to their last men’s World Cup in 1998, has died at the age of 82.

Brown died peacefully on Monday following a short illness, a statement from his family said.

Brown also took charge of Scotland at Euro 96 and managed at Preston, Motherwell and Aberdeen before becoming a director at Pittodrie.

A statement from Aberdeen read: "Everyone at Aberdeen FC is heartbroken by the loss of our beloved former manager, director and club ambassador, Craig Brown.

"A dear friend to us all, Craig will be sorely missed and our love and condolences are with his family at this terribly sad time."

Brown is the longest-serving Scotland manager in history and was in charge of 71 games from 1993 to 2001.

His playing career was cut short due to injury but Brown became a much-loved figure after leading Scotland to Euro 96 and the 1998 World Cup.

Brown also served on the Scotland coaching staff at three other major tournaments, including under Sir Alex Ferguson at the 1986 World Cup.

Tributes were immediately paid to a popular character, with the official Scotland national team Twitter account calling Brown “a true Scotland legend”.

“He is best remembered for leading the Scotland men’s national team to Euro 96, in England, and the World Cup in France in 1998,” the SFA said in a statement. “But to those who had the privilege of his company and his experience during a 60-year association with Scottish football, he was a pioneer and innovator, a teacher and a mentor to generations of players who graduated to coaching and management under his tutelage.

“In later years his passion for football remained undiminished, lending his unparalleled experience to Aberdeen FC as non-executive director and ambassador, but also being a regular attendee at football grounds the length and breadth of the country, as well as supporting countless charities.”

Steve Clarke, who became the first men’s manager since Brown to take Scotland to a major tournament when the team qualified for Euro 2020, added: “Craig led the way in bringing sustained qualification to the men’s national team, first as assistant to Andy Roxburgh and then in his own right.

“He was a student of the game and I am proud to say that I followed in his footsteps by taking a Scotland team back to a major tournament. The thoughts of the players and my backroom staff go to Craig’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack said: “He was one of those rare individuals who was not only effective at what he did but universally loved by all who got to know him.

“A gentleman who loved his family, friends, and football. Personally, I’ll always be grateful for the support and encouragement he gave me as chairman, and I’ll miss his legendary stories that made all of us laugh.”

Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wrote on Twitter: “So sorry to hear that Craig Brown has died. I last saw him in March at my uncle’s retirement from Ayr Racecourse. He was in fine form, full of laughs and anecdotes from his life in football. He was an outstanding manager of Scotland and a truly lovely man.”

Her successor, Humza Yousaf, wrote: “A towering figure of the Scottish game, Craig Brown and the Scotland team he managed gave us many good memories over the years. You would be hard-pressed to find a man who loved Scotland as passionately as he did. My thoughts with his family and friends at this sad time.”