Brown enjoyed a long and respected career in football, becoming a successful manager after injury had ended his playing career. He was perhaps best known as Scotland's longest-serving boss, after leading the national team for eight years.
Sir Alex had been friends with the much-loved Brown since they played together as schoolboys in 1957/58.
Almost three decades later, he invited his friend to join his coaching staff while in temporary charge of Scotland's squad for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
A former teacher, Brown became his country's permanent manager in 1993 and proudly led them to Euro '96.