Stein helped Celtic become the first British club to lifts the European Cup

In a statement on the 10 Downing Street website in response to the petition, Brown said knighthoods cannot be awarded posthumously.

The statement reads: "A knighthood is an honour only given during someone's lifetime."

In 1967, Stein became the first British manager to win the European Cup.

Stein also won 10 Scottish League titles, nine Scottish cups, and six Scottish League Cups.

He collapsed and died in 1985, during a Scotland match with Wales, aged 62.

The fact Jock Stein CBE was not knighted does not in any way detract from the contribution he made to this country Statement from 10 Downing St

In 1961, he led Dunfermline into Europe after winning the Scottish Cup.

In March, two Labour MPs tabled a Commons motion calling for former Stein to be awarded a posthumous knighthood.

In the statement, the prime minister said unlike bravery awards and medals, knighthoods have never been granted posthumously.

The statement continues: "Formally, this is because recipients of honours receive their award when they attend an Investiture ceremony in person.

"The fact that Mr Jock Stein CBE was not knighted, however, does not in any way detract from the contribution he made to this country.

"His life and achievements have each been celebrated and remembered in many other ways.

"But a knighthood is, however, not possible for someone, no matter how accomplished, who is no longer able to receive it."

As a player Stein captained Celtic to Coronation Cup success when they beat Arsenal, Manchester United and Hibernian to become unofficial champions of Britain in 1953.

Stein steered Scotland to the 1982 World Cup but suffered a fatal heart attack during a qualifying match in Wales on the way to Mexico '86.

Seventeen MPs signed a motion by MP George Howarth, calling for former Liverpool manager Bob Paisley to be awarded a knighthood - 11 years after his death.

Spurs fans have attempted a similar, but so far unsuccessful, attempt at winning a similar honour for former player and manager Bill Nicholson, who died in October 2004.