Soccer:George Burley will continue as Scotland manager, the Scottish Football Association (SFA) confirmed today.
"We have today given our full backing to George as Scotland national coach," SFA chief executive Gordon Smith said in a statement.
The 53-year-old Burley's position had been in doubt since Scotland's 1-0 loss to The Netherlands last Wednesday, which meant they could not qualify for next year's World Cup in South Africa.
"We met with George yesterday and it was clear that he was as disappointed as everyone that we have not made it to South Africa," Smith said.
"You will not meet a more passionate, committed Scot than George. He is a man who cares deeply for his country and wants to take us back to the stage where we regularly qualify for major championships."
Scotland, who last reached the World Cup finals in 1998 and European Championship in 1996, appointed former Ipswich Town and Derby County manager Burley in January 2008.
"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," Smith 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.
"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."
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.
