Dougie Freedman believes Craig Levein should have been given longer by Scotland
Dougie Freedman feels Craig Levein should have been given longer by Scotland and hopes to one day take charge himself.
Last Updated: 11/11/12 10:46am
Levein was shown the door by the Scottish Football Association earlier this week on the back of a woeful start to his side's qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Former Scotland international Freedman would have liked to see the manager, who took over the national team in 2009, be given more time.
He told Sky Sports: "I'm disappointed. I'm disappointed for Craig and I'm disappointed it has to end this way.
"I believe that Craig has not been given enough time. I think he's a good man that deserved longer.
"Why hasn't he seen out his contract? I don't know why we're having to pay him continuously. These questions I can't really ask because I don't know the answer to them. The decision's been made.
"Can we look at the people that gave him the job? Can we ask them questions? Was it the right man to begin with?"
Freedman took over at Bolton last month to mark his second job in management, with the 38-year-old having previously been in charge at Crystal Palace.
The Scot hopes to manage his country in the future when he has more experience under his belt, adding: "That's my aim. I believe a manager, when he manages the national team, should have done his 25 years apprenticeship."
Experience
He said: "It should be coming when he's very experienced to handle all situations and (has) been through club management.
"Hopefully I'll be in management long enough to one day have that opportunity. It would make me the proudest man in Scotland for that to happen."
Freedman believes whoever is appointed as Levein's successor should be given an extended period to make an impact.
"It's another change. I believe stability is the way forward, even at national managers' level," he said.
"I believe my country needs to give the manager a lot longer. I understand results were disappointing but to keep on changing the managers is not for me.
"I think the next manager should be given two or three campaigns to get on with it and at the end of those two or three campaigns, have a look at it then.
"I don't have anybody in mind but I do hope he gets a lot longer and people realise how many people we've got to pick from and realise where we are in terms of the availability of the players."
