SFA confirms Craig Levein's exit as Scotland coach

The Scottish Football Association has confirmed that Craig Levein has been sacked as coach of the national team.

Under-21 coach Billy Stark has been installed as the interim manager of the team and he will take charge of the friendly international against Luxembourg next week.

"The Scottish FA tonight announces that Craig Levein has been relieved of his duties as Scotland national coach," reads a statement from the SFA.

"The board of the Scottish FA has taken the decision primarily due to the disappointing results. Billy Stark will take interim charge for the friendly against Luxembourg."

Chief executive Stewart Regan explained that the decision has been taken in the light of Scotland's disappointing performances in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

"We are taking this decision with real sadness," he said. "Craig has worked hard to bring success and has been thoroughly professional in his approach to the job.

"He has achieved a great deal with the team and in other areas, such as the performance strategy.

"However, he would be the first to agree that football is a results-driven business. The key factor is that we are bottom of the group and we are not bottom-of-the-group material."

Scotland are currently at the foot of Group A with just two points from four matches.