Under-pressure Berti Vogts says he will not resign from his position as coach of the Scottish national side, even if his team lose to Iceland in Satturday’s vital EURO 2004 qualifier.
The German coach has come in for criticism for Scotland’s performances since Vogts succeeded Craig Brown earlier this year. A run of six matches without a win, culminating in last month’s embarrassing 2-2 draw with the Faroes, has intensified the pressure on the beleagured coach.
Yet, Vogts, who led Germany to success at EURO 96, is adamant that he will not quit.
“I will still be in charge even if we lose on Saturday,’ said Vogts.
‘I can understand why I get asked if I will go if Scotland lose. That is a natural question from reporters.
‘However,, I have a llot to do,’ he added. ‘I have to build a new team because since France ’98 the country has had four lost years.
“But I don’t think the people on the street ask because they know the situation inside Scottish football.
“There is only one Scottish side left in European competition and I must build a new international team to replace the one which failed to qualify for the European Championship 2000 and the World Cup this year.”
One factor in the German’s favour is that the Scottish Footballl Association (SFA) would be reluctant to dismiss a coach who is earning £350,000 a year. The compensation required to pay-off both Vogts and his under-21 coach Rainer Bonhof, means that the SFA may not be able to afford to fire him, even if they wanted to.
