SFA says Burley to stay on. Paul Hartley works his magic.
Leaders of the SFA met this morning to determine the fate of Manager George Burley after Scotland failed to qualify for the World Cup finals.
Reports claim Burley will stay on after SFA Chief executive Gordon Smith claimed “this is not the time for change, it is a time to invest faith in the manager and the players.”
The ex-Scotland International came on as manager in 2008 after Alex McLeish stepped down and off to Birmingham City and his contract extends to 2012.
After Scotland’s disappointing loss to the Netherlands last week, speculation that Burley would be sacked was widespread but the ex Ipswich, Derby County, Hearts, and Southampton Manager made it clear to the media that he wished to remain in his current position.
Burley seemed to have support from many Scottish players including Captain Darren Fletcher and Paul Hartley.
Call me.
In support of his manager, Hartley stated:
“I think we have a bright future. If you look around the dressing room, we just have to learn a few things. There are a lot of new faces who have come through the campaign, younger players, and you try to move on so you’re ready for the next campaign.
I do feel for the manager. He’s had a lot of criticism and that just comes with being the Scotland manager: you have to win games.
He has taken a lot of criticism that has been unfair at times. But he’s had to learn how to deal with it and, hopefully, he’ll come back stronger. I think he has probably learned a lot over the last year or so. It’s a difficult job and he took over from a very good manager.
We want to move on and try to progress again. You don’t want to keep changing managers. I’m hoping George is in the job for the long term. I think we need more continuity. We need to stick by the manager and give him a fair crack of the whip.”
Well, that’s sorted then. Nobody wants 5’8″ and 10 stone worth of pure terror unleashed upon them so when Hartley speaks, we listen.
I think this article is biased towards Paul Hartley, and therefore should be deleted.
I know one person who won’t be invited to our wedding then.
He’s going to wear a kilt and everything.
OH! i will be there at the wedding…with a friend
and just as the priesty guy says is there anyone that objects to the marriage….
Thats when i unleash the Giggs on the scotsman
You wont know WHAT TO DO
Too little too late, Giggsy. He had 20 odd years. He chose Stacey. I’ve moved on.
Plus no “speak now” bit in a Catho-wedding.
Just quick 45 min worth of readings and that and then on to the drinking.
well..im catho, had a catholic wedding and we had the “speak now” bit..it may be optional, i will ask God
Giggsy is devastated here…he was gonna surprise you for your 31st birthday with a ring and some bended knee act in Venice or Paris or somewhere…youve BLOWN it now!..the man is literally crying in my arms here…(there, there giggsyboy)
Im tellin ya if he plays shit on sunday now im holding you personally responsible!
(theyve actually just mentioned Hartley on talksport just 5 mins ago)
See? He’s on the rise.
I’m just saying if those two twit cheerleaders from California who flew to see Oldham play made the Sun (and were considered “beauties”) I just think a Win-A-Date-With Harto trans-Atlantic flight to Bristol would be a story.
It’s only a matter of time until someone who knows the man finds my musings and points him the right direction.
31st birthday pffft I’m turning 29 for the third year in a row.
Is this the same P J Hartley who wrote the seminal work on fly-fishing?
PJ Harvey..JR Hartley…erm
Appologies to J R Hartley.
Nevertheless…. P J Harvey – now you’re talking – she is gorgeous – the ultimate rock chick.
From my home county of Dorset, and as the old ditty goes…
Be I Hampshire, be I buggery, I be up from Wareham!
yes the Harvey is gorgeous indeed…i know dorset well but do not know that phrase..you be a proper local aye
There will be no wedding.
Apparently the man is married with several sons.
My heart just dropped to my feet. :-(
watched a bit of the scotland holland match, just to see how this hartley fellow plays. kinda reminded me of gattuso.
He’s a decent player, but he made the wrong choice in joining Bristol City.
He would have been perfect for PNE or Leicester City and then would have had a chance of playing Premier League next term, if only for a season.
He may as well just retire at DC United. We can spend some time here in the US before we put roots down in Scotland.
And YJ, he’s feisty like Gattuso. I’d say just as reckless at times but less sinister.
I can see the comparison though.
Anyway, everyone may as well get stuck in with him because I intend to post anything newsworthy on the man. And we have all seen I’m lenient on “newsworthy” when it comes to Harters.
These guys are buddy’s from their times at Hearts too. I seem to remember that Burley was full of praise for Hartley when Celtic were after him in 2005. Well, we know where he ended up but maybe he feels the need to return the favour.
I am glad that the SFA have made this decision.
Meanwhile, I am confident that Hearts will beat Kilmarnock tonight, even in the semi darkness of an underlit Tynecastle.