Berti Vogts tonight resigned as Scotland's national coach, citing "disgraceful abuse" by tabloids and fans.
The German, whose career as a coach has been marked by inconsistency, had come under fire after poor results against Norway and Macedonia. This afternoon the Scottish Football Association confirmed that Vogts had decided to stand down.
It was a heart-wrenching decision for Vogts, who was convinced he could turn the country's fortunes around.
He had stood up to the criticism and many have sympathised with him, blaming results on the current crop of players.
"With great reluctance, myself and the Scottish Football Association, and in particular John McBeth and David Taylor, who have been a source of great strength and support, have made a joint decision to close this chapter in my life at the helm of Scottish international football," said Vogts.
"From my point of view, the decision has been made with a heavy heart as I have enjoyed my tenure at the hub of the Scottish football team and the warmth that I have experienced from the people of Scotland.
"I must say that the major factor in this decision has been the disgraceful abuse that I have suffered, especially of late.
"It has degenerated into a physical nature, especially on recent occasions where I have been spat upon.
"This is not acceptable behaviour in a civilised society and I know that the vast majority of Scots will join me in my disgust at this act by a very tiny minority.
"The abuse is something that people in public life must get used to, but now it is having a serious effect upon my home life.
"I cannot sit by, as no-one would, to be involved in the abuse that I have to endure.
"And it is this that has made this very hard decision inevitable."
A decision on his future was expected to be made on Thursday when the SFA board were due to meet again.
But the former German international player and manager was left with no option but to quit the high-profile job.
"What these actions have proved has been the unacceptable power of the tabloid press to influence its readership," he added.
"The opinions expressed mostly by journalists with little knowledge of the game certainly had a great effect on some of the fans.
"But I know that the opinions that have been expressed by a section of the press are not those of the majority of the Scottish people."