After a disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign, Scotland's 3-0 defeat to Wales on Saturday proved to be the final straw as The SFA decided to wield the axe. George Burley's reign just short of two years was over.This came just two months after Burley was given the backing to take them into Euro 2012 qualification. Ok, you could argue that if The SFA thought they had made a mistake, now was the time to make the decision, but it does seem a bit puzzling after Burley thought he had the chance to build on what he had already put together.
Burley's record does not make good reading with just three wins from 14 games. Let's remember that on paper Scotland were given a good chance to finish second in their group behind Holland. Other than the Dutch they were up against Norway, Macedonia and Iceland. This didn't materialise though as the Scots finished third with just ten points from eight games.
Can anyone do better though? It will be mostly the same players there, but perhaps a new man with fresh ideas can come in. We've seen England improve under Capello, The Republic of Ireland under Trapottoni and Nigel Worthington do an excellent job with Northern Ireland.
Walter Smith and Alex Mcleish had previously fared well as Scotland bosses before being tempted back into club management. This is part of the problem; every time someone does well they are tempted elsewhere.
Scotland need somebody who is going to win matches and then stick around and see it through. The games against the smaller teams at Hampden Park must be won, and then see what they can get away. In international football there is arguably nobody more passionate than the Scots. They now need someone to deliver and steer them towards Euro 2012.
Burley had his chance, whether it was long enough or not, and results were not good enough. Now was the best time to change it, the latest The SFA could leave it. The new man now has just short of a year to find his best team before qualification begins in September.
When the players and fans are not with you, it's time to change. In the interests of Scotland it was the best thing to do.
