Aberdeen Football Club has confirmed the passing of former Scotland manager Craig Brown at the age of 82.
Brown, who also served as a director at Aberdeen, holds the distinction of being the last manager to guide the Scottish national team to a World Cup finals. He led the team to the tournament in France 25 years ago.
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.
Everyone at Aberdeen FC is heartbroken by the loss of our beloved former manager, director and club ambassador, Craig Brown.
— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) June 26, 2023
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.
“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.”
The former schoolteacher also led Scotland to the European Championship in 1996 and was involved in a coaching capacity in three other major tournaments.
The Glasgow-born former Rangers and Dundee player managed Clyde before his international coaching career, which also included leading Scotland Under-16s to a World Cup final and the under-21s to a European semi-final.
A true Scotland legend.
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) June 26, 2023
Our thoughts are with Craig’s loved ones at this sad time. pic.twitter.com/qti23CLzqZ
Brown was manager of Scotland from 1993 until 2001. He later managed Preston, Motherwell and Aberdeen before becoming a director at Pittodrie.
Tributes immediately began pouring in for the popular character.
Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack said: “Since 2010 Craig performed the roles of manager, director, and ambassador at Aberdeen FC. Craig was a friend to all of us at the club, and a mentor and confidante to many.
“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.
“Sincere condolences to his family and friends from everyone at Aberdeen FC.”
Former Dons chairman Stewart Milne, who hired Brown as manager in 2010, said: “Craig was a very special individual. He always had time for people and if there was any way in which he could help them inevitably he was there with an abundance of support and guidance.
“During our time working together Craig became a close friend. He always had a story or two to tell, and I often became the butt of some of these stories, but he always meant it in a friendly way, I think.
“He will be sadly missed by many, and I feel grateful that he played such an important part in my life.”
The official Scotland national team Twitter account declared Brown a “true Scotland legend” and added: “Our thoughts are with Craig’s loved ones at this sad time.”
Former clubs including Clyde, Preston, Motherwell and Dundee also expressed their condolences to Brown’s family.
So sorry to hear that Craig Brown has died. I last saw him in March at my uncle’s retirement from @ayrracecourse. He was in fine form – full of laughs and anecdotes from his life in football.
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) June 26, 2023
He was an outstanding manager of @ScotlandNT and a truly lovely man 🏴 RIP https://t.co/5vitZiWxxU pic.twitter.com/kPUIjfpLVa
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 @ayrracecourse. He was in fine form – full of laughs and anecdotes from his life in football. He was an outstanding manager of @ScotlandNT and a truly lovely man.”
Her successor, Humza Yousaf, wrote: “A towering figure of the Scottish game, Craig Brown & 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 & friends at this sad time.”