Wilkie fears Levein exit

Centre-back accepts international management is an opportunity

Last updated: 17th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Wilkie fears Levein exit

Wilkie: Worried about the future

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Dundee United captain Lee Wilkie admits it would be a 'huge blow' to his club's long-term plans if Craig Levein was to become Scotland boss.

The United manager is being linked with the national team after George Burley's dismal tenure was brought to an end on Monday in the wake of the heavy weekend defeat to Wales.

Although it has been suggested that the task of rejuvenating Scotland at international level may prove an unpopular task, Levein and Rangers' Walter Smith have been listed as favourites.

Levein has guided United to fourth place in the SPL this season and has been praised for the job he has performed since taking charge at Tannadice in 2006.

It is therefore not a shock to Wilkie that his club chief is being linked to Scotland, with the defender saying: "The manager has done a good job at United and his name has come up for the Scotland job before.

Not surprised

"I'm not really surprised that he is one of the favourites this time. It would be a huge blow if we were to lose him. He has a long-term idea of what he wants to do at United.

"He has shown that by trying to improve things from youth development right through to the first team.

"If he were to leave in the middle of that, it would be a blow for United and the players.

"Like any manager, it probably depends on the right opportunity coming along and whether he thinks the Scotland job is the right opportunity.

"It's a great job and a big opportunity to manage your country.

"Whether it's a big enough job to leave United for, that's up to him to decide. But I wouldn't hold it against him if that was the case."