SFA chief executive Gordon Smith said that George Burley had the "full backing" of the organisation as it was confirmed he will remain as Scotland manager on Tuesday.
Burley had been fighting to keep his job after failing to lead the country to the play-offs for next summer's World Cup, but it appears he has convinced his SFA bosses to give him a second chance following talks with SFA president George Peat on Monday, along with vice-presidents Campbell Ogilvie and Alan McRae.
Smith said: "We want to invest our faith going forward in the manager and players. George continues in his role with the full backing of the SFA."
He added: "It was always our intention to have a review of the campaign, regardless of the outcome. We had a full and frank discussion with George Burley.
"We feel there is a lot of positive factors about aspects of the campaign despite the fact we didn't qualify."
The SFA released a written statement from Smith following his comments outside the main door at Hampden, which called for unity as Scotland prepare for their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.
"George has been rebuilding his squad and brought through many young players who he feels will bring us success in the years to come," Smith added.
"The next competitive match is not for another 12 months and this gives George and the players the chance to grow and develop together. This is not the time for change, it is a time to invest faith in the manager and the players.
"If the World Cup campaign has shown us anything it is that we are at our best when we work together.
"It is by standing united behind the manager and the team that we can achieve the success that we all crave."
Comment 1 - 4 of 4
well done to the SFA for not bowing to the short sighted fans who wanted Burley sacked, and who think boyd is a good player, the team will now go on to qualify for the euros, guarenteed, and i hope all who wanted him sacked come back on here and apologise to Scotland and the SFA, let's rid the team of egotistical children, they were the reason we had not qualified for a long time, George and the SFA are weeding them out.
This is just typical of the SFA. Burley was initially contracted to with a brief to either qualify or reach the play off stages from the weakest group in the overall qaulifying stages.
Not only did he fail in that task, he's also alienated a number of the long suffering tartan army with his lack of insight where team selection is concerned and constantly pins his hopes on players such as the overated Chris Commons and Kenny Miller to aid our qualification. I'm no fan of Kris Boyd (far from it), but believe he would certainly have scored one of the many chances made against the Netherlands or the opportunity that Illuwemo failed to take against Norway.
Surely Scotland need a Manager/Coach who is a more widely respected and communicative figure than George Burley and if the bord that constitutes the SFA (including the 'Teflon Coated' Mr Peat) really need to call time on their involvment with our national side.
The country and support deserve better than a 44 second explanation on his tenure being maintained.
Gordon Smith must go!!!!!!!!!!!! this is an appalling decision? again the s.f.a. have not bothered what the fans think. We must replace BOTH men. They are fools of the highest order.
Gordon Smith must go!!!!!!!!!!!! this is an appalling decision? again the s.f.a. have not bothered what the fans think. We must replace BOTH men. They are fools of the highest order.
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