Levein named Scotland boss

Former Dundee United boss succeeds Burley

Last updated: 23rd December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Levein named Scotland boss

Levein: New Scotland boss

It is with great regret and disappointment that I confirm Craig Levein is leaving Dundee United.

Stephen Thompson.
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Craig Levein has agreed a two-year deal to manage the Scotland national side following his departure from Dundee United.

Immediately after the Terrors revealed Levein had departed Tannadice, it was confirmed the 45-year-old has finalised terms with the Scottish Football Association.

The SFA made Levein their number one target after sacking Burley following their disastrous World Cup qualifying campaign that preceded an embarrassing 3-0 friendly defeat to Wales.

One of Levein's first tasks will be to name his squad for Scotland's upcoming friendly with Czech Republic in March, although his immediate priority could be whether to recall banished duo Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor.

Levein's exit means Dundee United are on the lookout for a new man at the helm with Peter Houston, assisted by Gary Kirk, acting as caretaker manager.

United supremo Stephen Thompson has expressed his regret and disappointment at losing a man who has transformed the club during his three-year tenure.

"It is with great regret and disappointment that I confirm Craig Levein is leaving Dundee United," he told the club's official website.

Great job

"He has done a great job for us and leaves the team - and the club as a whole - in a much better position than it was when he arrived here.

"While we always knew he would move on to a bigger job and are flattered that the job he has done here has brought him to the attention of the national team, we're nevertheless very disappointed Craig is leaving us at this time."

While Thompson is against making a swift appointment he says a number of potential names as successors have been brought to his attention.

"We've already had plenty of names put to us as potential replacements and I can understand why because we've got a good squad of players and are in a strong position to attract good candidates," he continued.

"However, we won't be rushing into appointing someone else, we'll take our time and look at all the options."

Difficult decision

Levein has also spoken for the first time on his departure, stating he has nothing but good memories from his time at Tannadice.

The former Leicester boss said said: "While it is a great honour to be asked to manage your country, it was a very difficult decision to leave Dundee United.

"I have, and will continue to have, a great affection and respect for the club and its supporters, who have given me such strong support from the day I arrived. I also leave behind a great bunch of players and a strong backroom staff and I know the club is in good hands.

"It is a great wrench to leave the club and I will keep many great and poignant memories of my time at Tannadice."

Comments (31)

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Denise Emslie (Partick Thistle fan) says...

The right man for the job but can we just let him get on with the job. Stop telling him who to pick and just let the guy get on with it. We all seem to think we know best. Wait til march and his first squad. I can't wait til the game. Come on Scotland

Posted 17:34 23rd December 2009

Maureen Henderson says...

Please dont bring back Ferguson

Posted 16:19 23rd December 2009

Gordon Whitton says...

Just a quick comment on those who say "Why wasn't David Moyes appointed?" You're not going to get a manager from the premiership! The big drop in wages is enough to explain it. I'm not sure about Craig Levein personally but I will get right behind him the same as I did with Burley - for me there wasn't really another candidate as much as I would've liked McLeish to return it was never going to happen.

Posted 15:58 23rd December 2009

Alan Mcilroy (Morton fan) says...

Good luck to Levein! The key issue for him is to make his mark with the team and show real leadership. I also think The SFA suits need to leave him alone and let him stand or fall based on his team's performance. Is it not starnage that we have gone through numerous managers over the years - some really good - without the results we want. The real issue is for the players to step up and really perform then we will see results.

Posted 15:53 23rd December 2009

Ryan Farrell (Celtic fan) says...

Well done to Craig Levein. He is at last been noticed for the fantastic job he has done at Dundee United, In my opinion the SFA have done their work properly for a change, give this new manager plenty of time to stamp his authority on the team and rebuild Scottish football. Merry Christmas to the new Scotland Gaffer

Posted 15:41 23rd December 2009

Joe Rice (Dundee United fan) says...

I am disgusted by Craig Levein for leaving us in the lurch like this and our compensation is not near enough as he knows our club is in a deep financial mess. Poor Stuff Craig !

Posted 15:11 23rd December 2009

Peter Higgins says...

Good luck to Craig Levein he will need it both with the team and with the media.His first job must be to stamp his authority on the team and also to stop the interference from the suits at Hampden. All the scots fans want is a team who will take a bit of pride in playing for our country we are realistic enough to know that we do not have the greatest players in the world but we demand effort and committment from our team. He must also bring a shape to the team and also organisation which was sadly lacking with the last manager

Posted 13:57 23rd December 2009

Andy Higgins (West Ham United fan) says...

Why do people moan about somebody who hasn't won loads of trophies? You can still be a good manager and not win trophies. He has done a great job with Dundee Utd and how are you suppose to win masses of trophies when Celtic and Rangers win everything. Scotland fans have to get real, that they are a thrid rate team.

Posted 13:45 23rd December 2009

Lee Hayward (Leicester City fan) says...

Levein an international class manager??? I don't think so. He was badly exposed tactically at Leicester City when he made the step up in class from Scottish Premier league football to English championship football!!! Well done SFA!!

Posted 13:44 23rd December 2009

Paul O'brien (Dundee United fan) says...

Sorry to see you go Levein but glad it was to the Scotland post. Lets just hope all these guys who "cannot see what you've done" get behind you from the very start. Nobody wants to see a TA giving out stick like they did to GB in Cardiff, thats not what the worlds best supporters are meant to be about. So lets see if we can keep the negativity where it belongs. And as for the two year contract, I think that people need to be realistic. What happens if CL crashes and burns (which i dont for one second think he will) and we have him on a four year deal. Then all you same people complain about his payout. So come on Craig and lets get Scotland back about the major competitions and then I look forward to seeing all the doubters queue up to sing your praises. And Mr Thompson, lets get the right guy in to build on the EXCEPTIONAL job that Craig Levein did for us.

Posted 13:39 23rd December 2009

Peter Bell (Dundee United fan) says...

It's a pity he had to go as he's been fantastic for Utd and brought the best out in our players. But good luck to him at Scotland hopefully he'll get the chance to start to improve our national team.

Posted 13:36 23rd December 2009

Billy Smith (Dundee United fan) says...

As a Dundee United fan I am obviously sorry to see Craig go, as a Scotland fan I am delighted he has become our new manager. Asking what has Craig done to deserve the Scotland job is a simple question to answer. Craig has made his name in Scotland by being able to take a very ordinary bunch of players and turning them into a well organised and hard to beat team. This is exactly what he must do for Scotland. We dont have any exeptional players but we must become a proper team if we are going to have any success. Good luck Craig and many thanks all you have done for us at Tannadice.

Posted 13:32 23rd December 2009

Matty Watt (Manchester United fan) says...

there was never another option of who scotland could have as manager. Strachan has just started at boro and would have been the better option due to cups, euro runs etc I was a firm believer in Burley when he took the job but the joke of taking Boyd away on every scotland trip and hardly playing him was the sign that he wasnt the man and I couldnt blame boyd for turning his back. I just hope Boyd will come back to the setup and do for his country just the same as his club and thats score goals! Good luck to Levein, lets see if the cracks in the Scottish team can now be fixed and hope he appoints a Scotsman as his right hand man.

Posted 13:10 23rd December 2009

Calum Robertson (Hearts fan) says...

I think it is a great appointment but hope he is given longer than two years to sort out the current mess from Grass roots level up to the full International squad. Everyone knows that what is in place at the moment isnt working and needs a total revamp including getting rid of the current SFA coaching structure and freshining it up with experience and knowledge and not just "jobs for the boys"

Posted 13:07 23rd December 2009

Nic Swann (Dundee United fan) says...

Absolutley gutted to have lost Levein as a manager. He was great for united, However, as in a previous comment, where are the trophies? I truly believe that a requirement for international managment should be a winning mentality. This can only come from being part of a winning team as either a player or a manager. Unfortunatley Levein has won very little as both. This could be a bad move for Scotland and terrible for Dundee Utd. I HOPE IM WRONG. Good luck Craig.

Posted 13:06 23rd December 2009

Donald Cross (Aberdeen fan) says...

I like to trespond to Chris Hall's comments. Scotland beat France home and away and gave Italy and again France a run for there money in our last Euro campaign. Being drawn a group with world cup finalist and eventual winners was tough. Don't forget Ukraine made it through to QF and to suggest that Scotland have limited resources is nonsense. We have a handful of players playing in English Premiership now which is great for Scottish National team. We also have other players eligible to play for Scotland also playing in English Premiership - I know one at Man Utd Chris???? Levein is a clever guy and I am sure will make progress. Good Luck Craig and all the best. Happy Xmas

Posted 13:03 23rd December 2009

Paul Hope (Newcastle United fan) says...

I have an affection for Scotland. My surname is Scottish, I have Scottish relatives too and I love visiting the place. For many years Scotland has not invested sufficiently in to grass roots. Cinder pitches, parks closed and not enough support from junior clubs upwards from the footballing authorities. Whilst I wish Craig the very best of luck, and credit to the SFA to appointing one of their own, the guy has no proven track record. Everyone in World football knows that there has only been mediocre competition to the Old Firm for many years, Dundee United are no exception, so what exactly has he achieved? Was he a big success at Leicester? Sorry but I do not feel this is the best appointment. There is a distinct lack of ambition in the SFA in my opinion. If it is such an honour to represent the National team then why not aim for the big boys? Sir Alex has suggested for the last few seasons that he may retire from Man Utd and what about David Moyes? I am slightly disillusioned! I hope for the Tartan Army's sake that I am wrong. Good luck.

Posted 12:59 23rd December 2009

Stefan Litzbarski (Dundee United fan) says...

All the best to Craig, he done a great job for Dundee Utd. We need to choose the right manager now or we will undo all the players hard work so far this season.

Posted 12:56 23rd December 2009

Chris Kinmond (Dundee United fan) says...

Very sad day indeed for utd, but it was on the cards. Craig did a great job for us, i actually enjoyed going the games for a change. I just hope utd take their time and pick the right man to suceed Levein. I think John Collins would be a good shout.

Posted 12:53 23rd December 2009

Ian Downs (Celtic fan) says...

Good appointment with Craig Levein, although don't know what miracles he will do in space of 2 years because if he's only appointed to get us to Euro 2012 then it will be just as short a reign as George Burley!! Regarding Kris Boyd, as a Celtic fan i'm a big admirer of Kris Boyd but he shouldn't be allowed near a Scotland jersey ever again for his hypocrisy, he said he's patriotic and only quit Scotland because he was being overlooked which i fully understand as he's without doubt the best striker scotland have. Yet he stays with Rangers even though he gets overlooked for every old firm game and Euro tie instead of Kenny Miller who i don't believe since returning to Rangers has scored a single European goal !!! Would bring back Ferguson and McGregor though !!!

Posted 12:34 23rd December 2009
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