Final curtain: Don Hutchison gets past Juris Laizans (LaurenceGriffiths/Allsport)

Scotland managed a 2-1 victory over Latvia at Hampden Park tonight, but with Croatia recording a 1-0 win against Belgium, it was only enough to confirm them in third place in Group Six and elimination from the tournament.

Brown, who has been under severe pressure to quit since Scotland's 2-0 defeat against Belgium in Brussels on September 1, told Sky Sports News: 'I had decided a long time ago that this would be my last campaign.

'I suggested to the (SFA) president that Archie Knox could step in if there is no replacement available in the short term.'

Asked when he decided the current World Cup qualifying campaign would be his last, Brown replied: 'I had a four-year agreement which covered two campaigns (Euro 2000 and World Cup 2002).

'When we lost the play-off (for Euro 2000) against England, at that point I thought that, whether we were successful or not, it would be appropriate for me to step down after this campaign.

'Can I say that I had no pressure at all to step down from anyone at the SFA, the chief executive (David Taylor) or the chairman (Jack McGinn).

'No-one has said `it's time to go'. I wanted the first people to know to be the players.'

Brown said: 'In terms of my time as Scotland manager I'd decided some time ago this would be my last campaign.

'I hoped it would finish in Japan unfortunately it won't.

'Therefore I don't wish to be considered for another contract when my existing one ends at the end of the year.

'I'm very happy with the response I've had from the players in my time as manager.

'I don't think the team have ever given anything less than 100% and I've had excellent co-operation from them.'

Brown revealed that he planned to continue as the SFA's director of football development.

'I'm happy to continue with the job. I think I've still got a contribution to make there.'

Asked if he wanted to play a role in choosing his successor, Brown replied: 'I would offer my opinion but it's for the president and chief executive to make that decision.'

Brown informed his team of the decision after they had left the pitch at the end of today's game.

'I wanted the players to be the first to know,' he said. 'It was emotional.'

Brown added that he hoped his back-room staff would stay in place and thanked the Scottish Football Association for their help during his tenure.

'I thanked them for their tremendous co-operation,' he said.

'There was no pressure on me from the Scottish Football Association.

'No-one has said it was time to go. The SFA have been very supportive and there has been no interference.

'I have been with the Scotland team for over 15 years since Alex Ferguson first called me into the coaching team. I have been to every international and five major tournaments.