Let’s go for it, demands Burley

Flanked by Gordon Smith, the Scottish Football Association's chief executive, and George Peat, the president, Burley immediately invalidated suggestions of a lack of charisma with a dramatic, impassioned speech in which he urged the nation to support his challenge to lead Scotland into their first major championship since World Cup France 98.

"Now the dream is to qualify for the World Cup," he declared theatrically. "There are tingles going through me just thinking about it. Hopefully we can push all the way to the World Cup finals. I am saying to everybody, to the managers, players and fans: Let's go for it."

Burley, resplendent in the Saltire tie providently given to him by his Auntie Isobel as a Christmas present, absorbed everything thrown at him by a battery of media men and women, from scrutiny of his credentials, social habits and downright suitability for the job. The 51-year-old is here for the long haul, with the SFA having compromised over his agent's preference for a one-year rolling contract by offering a four-year deal comprising a £400,000 salary and £200,000 bonus for reaching the World Cup finals.
advertisement

He conceded he was not the popular choice among the Scottish public, nor the most high-profile candidate from the four-man shortlist and even expressed surprise that the SFA did not opt for Graeme Souness, Mark McGhee or Tommy Burns. Nevertheless, the 11-times capped former Southampton manager believes he has the man-management skills and coaching nous to provide tangible reward for Scotland's rejuvenation under McLeish and Walter Smith.

"I never thought it would happen,"

he admitted. "There were so many candidates I was surprised to get the job. After being a manager almost 16 years, I feel I'm ready for it. As a Scotsman, I have a vision and a passion to do well for my country. If I can get Scotland to qualify for the World Cup, then that would be a great achievement."

Burley is a bold, brave and intriguing choice by the SFA. Smith, perhaps ill-advisedly, was lured into a live debate on the merits of the recruitment process but Burley made his own case for selection. He took Ipswich Town into three promotion play-offs before taking them into the Premiership in 1999/2000. The following season remains his finest managerial achievement to date: hoisting Ipswich to fifth place in England's top division, qualifying for the UEFA Cup and winning the Manager of the Year award ahead of Sir Alex Ferguson and Gerard Houllier.

His fleeting success in taking Hearts to the apex of the Bank of Scotland Premierleague has created an intriguing unfinished business' aspect to his future work with Scotland, while Southampton's slump to 13th in the Coca-Cola Championship before his departure from St Mary's was attributed in part to the £20m fire sale involving Christian Bale, Kenwyne Jones and Chris Baird.

"I've got experience and I've had a fair bit of success with clubs not spending a lot of money and getting the best out of people, so man-management is probably my strength," Burley offered by way of self-assessment.

"Everybody has their own traits and personality but I would like to think that most of the players I have worked with have enjoyed it. I am a Cumnock boy and I am experienced in handling people. If you speak to the Hearts lads I think they will tell you they enjoyed training. Sure, Graeme Souness has a big personality but I have no regrets about not earning 50 or 100 caps. I am proud of the fact I was involved in a World Cup finals Spain 82. Now the question is: can these players go that little bit further?"

Burley will return north with his wife and canine companions. He willingly addressed the unavoidable issues regarding his hasty departure from Tynecastle and the subsequent rumours of less-than-wholesome living away from the workplace.

"There were so many so-called rumours that it was just better to move on," he said, acknowledging that he had been aggrieved at a whispering campaign regarding his fondness of a pint.
There were so many candidates I was surprised to get the job, but I feel I’m ready for it

"Of course it is difficult when people start saying things about you but the worst thing you can do in response is to start shouting your mouth off. That only adds to it. I never let anything affect my running of the club."

He is optimistic the core of players that helped Hearts' ascent two years ago - Paul Hartley, Andy Webster, Craig Gordon and even Steven Pressley - can form a reliable nucleus to a Scotland side he intends to be entertaining without being reckless.

"Who knows what would have happened?" he said in response to whether his Hearts side would have won the league. "We had an excellent core of Scottish players who can help me with Scotland as well. In Craig Gordon we have one of the best goalkeepers in Europe.

"We don't have world-class players but we do have some excellent players and hopefully that can continue to shine through. I have always tried to encourage a passing game. If you go kamikaze, you will get walloped. In international football you cannot leave yourself open but we will try to play entertaining and successful football."

In conclusion, Burley paid tribute to his mentor at Ipswich Town, Sir Bobby Robson. He discussed the perils and pitfalls of international football with the former England manager before accepting the job and credits the 74-year-old with having a profound influence on his career since he was signed from school at 15.

"Bobby has been a huge influence on me," Burley said. "He gave me my debut when I was 17, against George Best, and I remember him asking if my mum and dad were coming to the game. It was a five-hour drive for them but he went over and gave them two directors' box tickets and that was a measure of the man.

"I spoke to him this week and he is still enthusiastic about the game. The man has had four cancer operations and still keeps going. He told me that in this job you can always keep busy."

How recent managers fared

ALEX McLEISH
January 07-November 07
The former Scotland defender took over after Walter Smith's shock resignation and almost took the country to Euro 2008. A 1-0 win in Paris and a 3-1 win over Ukraine at Hampden were the highlights, but defeats to Georgia and Italy in the final two qualifiers meant Scotland missed out. He resigned 10 days after the defeat to Italy and was unveiled as Birmingham City's new manager the following day.
P 10 W 7 L 3 D 0

WALTER SMITH
January 05-January 07
Smith, who was a Scotland under-21 coach and Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, transformed the fortunes of the national side. Took Scotland above World Cup finalists France and Italy in the Euro 2008 qualifying group, but resigned to become Rangers manager for a second time.
P 16 W 7 L 4 D 5

BERTI VOGTS
March 02-November 04
After eight years as coach of his native Germany, which included winning Euro 96, Vogts became Scotland's first foreign manager. His first match, a 5-0 defeat to France in Paris, was an ominous start to a turbulent time in charge. Finally resigned after a dreadful start to the 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign.
P 32 W 9 L 16 D 7

CRAIG BROWN
November 93-October 01
The former Clyde manager was assistant to Andy Roxburgh for seven years before replacing him. Qualified for Euro 96 and the 1998 World Cup, but resigned in October 2001 having failed to qualify for back-to-back major tournaments.
P 70 W 32 L 20 D 18

ANDY ROXBURGH
July 86-September 93
The former Scotland youth and under-21 coach took Scotland to the World Cup in 1990 and the European Championships two years later. Unfortunately, is best remembered for 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica at Italia 90.
P 61 W 23 L19 D 19

SIR ALEX FERGUSON
October 85-June 86
Following the tragic death of Jock Stein, Ferguson took temporary charge while also manager of Aberdeen. His tenure included three matches at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, against Uruguay, West Germany and Denmark. He left Pittodrie to take over at Manchester United later that year.
P 10 W 3 L 3 D 4

Taken from the Herald