Gordon Strachan unveiled as Scotland manager

Posted on January 15, 2013 by adminsports

Strachan ends 40-year wait to be Scotland boss with promise to 'make the nation proud'

PUBLISHED:

12:41 GMT, 15 January 2013

UPDATED:

13:08 GMT, 15 January 2013

Gordon Strachan admitted being appointed the Scotland manager was the culmination of a personal project '40 years in the making'.

The former Celtic, Southampton, Coventry and Middlesbrough boss replaces Craig Levein, who was sacked in November, as the Scottish Football Association confirmed his appointment at Hampden.

He told Sky Sports News: 'I am very very proud in myself and my family are proud I've become Scotland manager.

New start: Gordon Strachan has been unveiled as the new Scotland manager

Appointment: Strachan was introduced to the press by SFA President Campbell Ogilvie and Chief Executive Stewart Regan at Hampden Park today

All smiles: Strachan poses with a Scotland shirt in front of a bank of photographers on the Hampden pitch

'It's a great day for me to do this and it's been 40 years in the making.

'There'll be rough times but I know there'll be good times too.'

Strachan, whose contract runs up until Euro 2016, stated his desire to make Scotland a proud footballing country once more.

He said: 'Every club you go to there's always challenges but this is the first time the challenges are in front of a nation.

'If you can be successful you can make
a nation happy and make a nation proud and that is the priority for me
to be able to do that with help from other people.'

Dismal: Scotland have endured a shocking start to their World Cup qualification campaign

Strachan, who has been out of a
manager's job since leaving Middlesbrough in 2010, claimed it was the
perfect time to step into the role.

'You're always interested as long as
someone asks you But I think that time is right now because I've had
that European experience,' he added.

'I've had to deal with players and I've also had a couple of years where I can look at national football.

'The time is right for me to be able
to take a job like this. I have the experience, I like working with
people, I like dealing with people and I like trying to make people
better.'

Elation: Vincent Kompany (bottom) celebrates with his team-mates after scoring against Criag Levein's side

Strachan also stated his desire to
make the fans proud as well as reach the finals of either the World Cup
or the European Championship.

Scotland have not qualified for the finals of a major tournament since reaching the 1998 World Cup in France.

'To progress with the squad. I really
want the squad and the staff to give something back to the country and
the fans who support us because the fans are probably more famous than
the squad now,' Strachan added.

'So what we want to try and do is to give back something and make them turn up for a major finals competition.

'Through my TV work I've been to these
competitions and the Irish have kind of stepped up for a while so
hopefully the Irish and the Scottish can get together for one major and
it'll be one hell of a party.'

Asked if he had a message for the fans, Strachan responded: 'Keep doing what you're doing because the support is fantastic.'

Seasoned: Strachan appeared a number of times for his country during his playing career

Out: The post has been vacant since the sacking of manager Craig Levein last year

Scotland have picked up just two points in their bid to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil, but Strachan rejected the suggestion that a top-two spot is out of his players' reach.

'If we work together as a group and a set of fans I know for a fact we'll be successful,' he added.

'I can't ask for anything more than we're doing at the moment.

'We're going to use the games to try and win. My philosophy is to win games of football, like Manchester United.

'We still have to collect as many points as we can and it's disrespectful to say we'll use the games just to improve.

'We'll give it a go.

'What I know is that these guys, for all they might get criticised, are the best at what they do.

'They play for Scotland and we have to find a system that suits these players to win games of football.'

Strachan also denied the national coach's role is a poisoned chalice, adding: 'I think it's a great job.

'At this time in my life I can deal with this. All my experiences have prepared me for this moment.'

The ex-midfielder laughed off suggestions the Scotland job was the best opportunity made available to him since his departure from Middlesbrough.

'I'm not saying that no,' he added. 'I'm just saying it was a job I wanted to do.

'For a Scotsman, it's a fantastic thing. I played for Scotland then started coaching and thought 'I want to be Scotland manager some day'.

'You don't get easy jobs but the important thing is to make people happy by winning games of football.

'The more successful I am I look around and the more people there are around me.

'Together, we'll look to do something.'

Warrior: Gordon Strachan in action for Scotland in 1992

vWarrior: Gordon Strachan in action for Scotland in 1992

When asked if Levein's previous selection would require a significant overhaul to boost Scotland's performances in Group A, Strachan referred to his failed experiment at club level.

'I made that mistake when I went to Middlesbrough,' he added. 'I really should have used the players that were there and used a system for them.

'So I'm going to get a system that suits these players and over the years, through Mark (Wotte) and Billy (Stark), we'll find a style that works.'

Scotland next face Wales, and then Serbia, but Strachan would not be drawn on any tactical switch for the March double header.

He added: 'The standard of football around Europe has improved dramatically in that time so it's not a question that I can answer just now.

'In the immediate future we have to find a system that suits the squad here.

'The last couple of games could have gone either way. The Wales game could have fine well gone to Scotland so we're not far away.'

Meeting of minds: Strachan as a player under manager Jock Stein at the 1982 World Cup

Strachan revealed making an approach to an as yet unnamed colleague with a view to hiring an assistant at Hampden.

'I've spoken to one person and there's no doubt that they would like to take it on but this is before everything was settled,' he added. 'You'll know him.'

Strachan's most successful spell as a club manager was arguably his four-year spell with Celtic, a period which saw the Hoops claim three consecutive Premier League titles, and the national boss hopes his new charges can replicate his old club's recent performances.

He added: 'It shows that we can go up against teams with bigger names – individually better players at huge clubs – and you can beat them with a group that all want to go in the right direction.

'Celtic got a result against Barcelona this year because they played to their strengths, and the same at Spartak Moscow.'

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF GORDON STRACHAN

1957: Born February 9, Edinburgh.
1974: Signs for Dundee. Plays 60 league matches, scoring 13 goals.
1977: Joins Aberdeen for 50,000. Plays 187 matches, scoring 55 times.
1980: Wins Scottish league championship medal and first of 50 Scotland caps against Northern Ireland. Named Scottish Footballer of the Year.
1982: Collects Scottish Cup winners' medal.
1983: Achieves second Scottish Cup success, followed by European Cup Winners' Cup medal.

European champs: Strachan (third right) waits to get his hands on the Cup Winners' Cup after Aberdeen beat Real Madrid in the 1983 final

1984: Wins Scottish league and cup double. Manchester United sign him for 500,000 in August. Stays at Old Trafford for five years, playing 160 league matches and scoring 33 goals.
1985: Only trophy success with United, taking FA Cup.
1989: Joins Second Division Leeds in March for 300,000.
1990: Captains club to Second Division title.
1991: Named Football Writers' Association Player of the Year.
1992: Leads Howard Wilkinson's side to a first league championship in 18 years. Wins final international cap against Finland.
1993: Awarded OBE.
1994: Plays last match for Leeds, a 2-0 home defeat by Liverpool on December 31.
1995: Announces his retirement from Premier League football in January but continues to play regularly for Leeds' reserve team. Two months later joins Ron Atkinson at Coventry as assistant.

Playing days: Strachan in action for Leeds United in 1993

1996: Takes over as Coventry manager as Atkinson stepped down.
1997: Coventry survive relegation on the final day of the Premier League season with victory at Tottenham.
2001: May – Coventry lose at Aston Villa and relinquish their Premier League status after 34 consecutive years in the top flight.
September 8 – City lose 1-0 at home to Grimsby, sparking chants of “Strachan out”. A handful of fans have to be restrained by police as they attempt to confront the manager.
September 10 – Strachan leaves Coventry by mutual consent.
October 22 – Appointed Southampton boss.
2003: May 17 – Southampton lose 1-0 to Arsenal in the FA Cup final but qualify for Europe for the first time in 19 years.
October 15 – A 1-0 defeat in Romania against Steaua Bucharest, following a 1-1 home draw, sees Saints crash out of Europe at the first hurdle.
2004: January 9 – Confirms he will not to extend his contract with Southampton beyond the end of the season for personal reasons.
February 13 – Steps down as Southampton manager.
September 9 – Rules himself out of contention to manage Scotland.
December 19 – Turns down the opportunity to become boss of Portsmouth.
2005: May 25 – Named Celtic manager on a 12-month rolling contract.
July 27 – Celtic thumped 5-0 by Artmedia Bratislava in Strachan's first match in charge to crash out of the Champions League at the qualifying stage.
December 15: Signs Roy Keane after release by Manchester United.
2006: March 19 – Lifts first trophy as Celtic manager with victory over Dunfermline in the Scottish League Cup final.
April 5 – Celtic clinch Scottish Premier League title with victory over Hearts.
November 11 – Leads Celtic into Champions League knockout stages for the first time after 1-0 victory over Manchester United.
2007: March 7 – Celtic knocked out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage by AC Milan.
April 22 – Celtic clinch SPL title with a 2-1 win at Kilmarnock. Strachan is named Manager of the Year.
May 2 – Named Manager of the Year by the Scottish Football Writers' Association.
May 26 – Celtic win Scottish Cup, beating Dunfermline 1-0.

Glory Days: Strachan with the SPL and Scottish Cup trophies at Celtic in May 2007

October 3 – Celtic snatch a last-gasp 2-1 win over European champions AC Milan at Parkhead.
November 28 – Celtic reach knockout stage of Champions League despite losing final group game in Milan.
2008: February 20 – Celtic go out of Champions League to Barcelona.
May 22 – Strachan becomes only the third Celtic manager to win a hat-trick of Scottish championships.
November 25 – Celtic suffer shock 2-1 defeat at Aalborg to crash out of the Champions League and Europe altogether.
December 13 – Strachan has dressing-room bust-up with midfielder Aiden McGeady after 1-1 SPL draw with Hearts. McGeady is fined two weeks' wages and suspended for two matches.
2009: March 7 – Celtic suffer surprise 1-0 Scottish Cup quarter-final defeat at St Mirren.
March 15 – Celtic beat Rangers 2-0 at Hampden in the first Old Firm cup final for six years to lift the Scottish League Cup.
May 3 – Strachan named SPFA Manager of the Year.
May 24 – Celtic are held 0-0 by Hearts as Rangers win the SPL title by four points on the final day of the season. Celtic had been eight points clear earlier in the year. He resigned a day later.
October 26 – Signed a four-year deal to manage Middlesbrough.
2010: October 18 – Voluntarily tears up his contract and resigns after a run of poor form.
2013: January 15 – Appointed manager of the Scotland national team.

Craig Levein starts legal proceedings against SFA after "resigning" as Scotland manager

Posted on December 19, 2012 by adminsports

Levein starts legal proceedings against SFA after 'resigning' as Scotland manager

UPDATED:

17:59 GMT, 19 December 2012

Former Scotland manager Craig Levein has opened legal proceedings against the Scottish Football Association.

Levein was 'relieved of his duties' by the SFA on November 5 following a disappointing start to the World Cup qualifying campaign.

The SFA has confirmed Levein has now instructed his lawyers to serve a writ on the Association, who had offered to honour the remainder of his contract in full.

Action: Levin has opened legal proceedings against the SFA

A statement from the SFA read: 'Regrettably, the Scottish FA has received notification from lawyers representing Craig Levein that their client has served a writ on the Association.

'This notification has been received despite the Scottish FA's offer to honour Craig's contract in full, an offer that was made immediately upon the Board's decision to relieve Craig of his duties on November 5, 2012.

Axed: Levein was shown the door in November

'The Scottish FA has since received notification that Craig has chosen to resign, thereby foregoing the offer made to honour his contract in full.

'In the notification received, failure to make a proposal in lieu of compensation has been cited.

'It is the view of the Scottish FA that no such offer is required given Craig's decision to resign, especially since an offer of mediation was rejected by his legal representatives.

'We will make no further comment at this time.'

Levein had found himself under pressure after the Scots failed to record a single win from their opening four games of the current campaign.

Draws at home to Serbia and Macedonia, followed by defeats away to Wales and Belgium, left Scotland bottom of their group with little hope of booking their place at Brazil in 2014.

Those results ultimately sealed the fate of the former Hearts and Dundee United boss and his near-three-year tenure came to an end last month.

Under-21s boss Billy Stark was placed in interim charge while the SFA search for Levein's successor.

Luxembourg 1 Scotland 2: Red hot Jordan Rhodes

Posted on November 15, 2012 by adminsports

Luxembourg 1 Scotland 2: Red-hot Rhodes at the double as minnows nearly upset Tartan Army

UPDATED:

21:49 GMT, 14 November 2012

Jordan Rhodes hit a first-half double as an attack-minded Scotland side began life after Craig Levein with a narrow friendly victory in Luxembourg.

Rhodes, who scored a hat-trick for Scotland Under-21s on his previous trip to the Stade Josy Barthel, headed home from close range on 10 minutes and then slotted a simple second.

However, Scotland failed to build on their lead and survived some nervous moments after Lars Gerson's well-placed free-kick brought Luxembourg back into the game 90 seconds after the break.

Doubling up: Jordan Rhodes struck twice to earn Scotland a narrow win

Both Scotland goals were followed by
cries of 'Are you watching Craig Levein' from the visiting support, who
vastly outnumbered the home fans in the attendance of 2,521.

Their mood was no doubt lifted by
caretaker manager Billy Stark's 4-4-2 formation with Kenny Miller
partnering Rhodes up front and Steven Naismith and debutant Andrew
Shinnie playing in advanced wide positions.

Levein, who paid the price for taking
two points from Scotland's first four World Cup qualifiers, had last
played two strikers from the start in a 2-1 win against Liechtenstein at
Hampden in September 2010.

Inverness midfielder Shinnie was the
only debutant in the starting line-up but there were rare starts for
Matt Gilks and Grant Hanley, while Charlie Mulgrew lined up in central
midfield.

Tucked home: Rhodes knocks in the second goal

Match Facts

Luxembourg: Joubert, Mutsch, Bukvic, Deville, Schnell, Janisch, Blaise, Gerson, Payal, Bettmer, Leweck.

Subs: Oberweis, Malget, Hoffmann, Peters, Da Mota Alves, Bensi, Laterza, Philipps, Jans, Turpel.

Goal: Gerson 47

Scotland: Gilks, Whittaker, Dixon, Berra, Hanley, Mulgrew, Fletcher, Shinnie, Naismith, Rhodes, Miller.

Subs: Samson, Webster, Barr, Davidson, Kelly, Griffiths, Bell.

Goals: Rhodes 11, 23

Referee: Cyrill Zimmermann (Switzerland)

The Celtic player saw a lot of the
ball in the opening stages as Scotland dominated possession on a pitch
that was already cutting up.

Rhodes had his first chance when
Luxembourg defender Guy Blaise missed his kick after Naismith had helped
the ball up the left, but the Blackburn striker was well wide as he
steered the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper.

However, Rhodes only had two minutes to wait for the opener after more poor defending.

Scotland worked the ball to Paul Dixon
on the left wing and he sent over an inviting cross which Ante Bukvic
turned against his own post. Rhodes was on hand to head the ball over
the line from close range.

Gilks made his first save in the 16th
minute after Naismith had lost right-back Tom Schnell at a short
free-kick. The defender sent over a deep cross that was met by Mario
Mutsch but the Blackpool goalkeeper got down to hold the header.

Mutsch soon fired wide from 22 yards after Scotland again found themselves a man short down their left.

Miller curled over after a Rhodes
lay-off before the Blackburn forward hit his second in the 23rd minute.
Shinnie collected Whittaker's cross from the right and hit the byline
before driving the ball towards goal.

His effort was blocked but fell for kindly for Rhodes who slipped the ball home with his left foot from six yards.

Rhodes to glory: The youngster is congratulated by his compatriots

Miller was soon through on goal after a
series of short, sharp passes with Naismith but the flag was raised as
the striker shot straight at Jonathan Joubert.

Scotland continued to control
possession but they were almost caught out before the break when Mutsch
broke down the left and sent over a low cross to right-winger Charles
Leweck, whose drive was held by Gilks.

Kilmarnock midfielder Liam Kelly
replaced Mulgrew at half-time to make his debut but he soon gave away a
foul that allowed the hosts back into the game. The execution was superb
as Gerson curled his 25-yard free-kick into the top corner to leave
Gilks with no chance.

Scotland continued to dominate
possession but were making little headway with Naismith growing
frustrated at the number of fouls committed by the home defenders.

Scraped: Scotland only won by one goal against the minnow opposition

Leigh Griffiths became the third new cap in the 70th minute when he replaced Shinnie with Miller moving wide right.

Scotland soon had a let-off after a move broke down on the right with Whittaker out of position.

Hanley backed off after David Turpel
collected the ball and the Luxembourg forward turned and sent the ball
inside him and out to Mutsch.

The home captain's cross found Stefano
Bensi in a great position but Gilks did enough to unconvincingly palm
the header wide for a corner.

Battle: Charles Leweck (left) tries to keep up with Scotland's Paul Dixon.

Before the match, Stark had signalled
his intention of making six substitutions but the game was in the
balance and Scotland's formation, now looking more like a 4-2-4, was
giving the hosts space to attack.

Rhodes thought he had his hat-trick as
he headed home Kelly's cross but the flag was immediately raised and
Bensi tested Gilks again with a 20-yard drive that the goalkeeper got
down well to hold.

Gilks then saved Turpel's header
before Murray Davidson won his first cap as the midfielder came on for
Rhodes to see help see out the match in injury-time.

Craig Levein in legal dispute with SFA

Posted on November 14, 2012 by adminsports

Sacked Scotland manager Levein in legal dispute with his former employers

UPDATED:

23:54 GMT, 13 November 2012

The Scottish Football Association have confirmed they are involved in a legal wrangle with Craig Levein's representatives over his removal as Scotland manager.

Levein last week announced he was seeking legal advice after being 'relieved of his duties' by the SFA, who said they would continue to honour his contract, which has 20 months to run.

SFA chief executive Stewart Regan said: 'Craig is entitled to his opinion. We made it very clear that Craig's contract had not been terminated, that his terms and conditions would be honoured up to the end of the contract in June 2014.

Departed: Levein is seeking legal advice over his removal as Scotland boss

'It's a legally binding contract and that was our position that we set out very clearly last Monday night.

'Craig has taken legal advice which he is entitled to do and the matter is now being dealt with between Craig's lawyers and the Scottish FA's lawyers.'

In a statement issued last Wednesday night, Levein said: 'I note the position as stated by the Scottish Football Association but do not concur and I am currently taking legal advice as to my options.'

Craig Levein sacked by Scotland with Gordon Strachan favourite to replace him

Posted on November 5, 2012 by adminsports

Levein finally axed as Scotland boss with Strachan favourite to take over

UPDATED:

17:36 GMT, 5 November 2012

Craig Levein has been sacked as Scotland manager by the Scottish Football Association for a string of bad results.

The seven-man SFA board asked chief executive Stewart Regan for more information over the weekend before deciding his fate, a move which was widely derided.

His last game in charge was the defeat in Belgium almost three weeks ago, with a squad for the forthcoming friendly in Luxembourg due to be named on Tuesday.

At last: Craig Levein's fate had been drawn out

WHO'S UP NEXT

Among the favourites are:

Gordan Strachan 7/4Owen Coyle 12-1Alex McLeish 12-1Walter Smith 12-1Billy Davies 14-1Joe Jordan 15-2

Most Scottish fans thought Levein's fate should have been an easy decision after a shocking start to the World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign.

The Scottish FA must pay 700,000 to the manager and decide who will name the squad for the friendly on November 14.

SFA performance director Mark Wotte could be asked to, or Under 21 coach Billy Stark.

Levein's assistant Peter Houston has made himself unavailable thanks to club commitments – he also manages Dundee United.

Watchful: Levein (right) went to see Sunderland v Aston Villa before being sacked

WHAT THEY SAID

On my way back from to hear Craig Levein has gone. Unbelievable. Can't believe the Scottish papers got what they wanted – Stoke midfielder Charlie Adam via Twitter

Scotland and stoke midfielder Charlie Adam blamed the press after hearing reports that Levein had lost his job.

He wrote on his official Twitter account: 'On my way back to hear Craig Levein has gone. Unbelievable. Can't believe the Scottish papers got what they wanted.'

Speaking after his side’s 2-2 draw
with Celtic on Sunday, Houston was asked if a decision on Levein's
future should have been reached by now.

‘I think so,’ he said. ‘It shouldn’t take so long. It’s nearly three weeks since the Belgium game.

‘Fair
enough if the SFA wanted the situation to calm down a wee bit — but,
after discussing it for two days then, it shouldn’t be that hard to make
a decision.’

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Levein revealed last Wednesday he had pleaded his case with chief executive Stewart Regan and president Campbell Ogilvie after returning from the holiday that followed last month's double header.

The Association of Tartan Army Clubs held a meeting with the SFA chief executive and other Hampden officials last week.

They said: ‘We want to register the
disappointment of our membership at recent results and performances and
trust that this will be attended to with the utmost urgency.

‘The manager is not carrying the support of the majority of our membership.’

Scotland’s next competitive games are not until March, with the World Cup double-header against Wales and Serbia.

Roll up, roll up: Will Gordon Strachan or Owen Coyle be the next Scotland boss

Levein has the worst record of any Scotland boss in nearly 60 years. He took over in December 2009 and his contract was due to run until after the 2014 World Cup.

He
has only won three of the 12 competitive matches he has spent in charge
of Scotland and has just two points out of a potential 12 in the World
Cup group.

Several candidates are in contention
to replace Levein, including currently out-of-work managers Gordon
Strachan and Owen Coyle.

Alex McLeish is also up there having been dismissed by Aston Villa in the summer.

Craig Levein sweats on Scotland future as Joe Jordan eyes return to the dugout

Posted on November 2, 2012 by adminsports

Open to offers: As Levein sweats, Jordan eyes return to the dugout

UPDATED:

00:52 GMT, 2 November 2012

Return: Jordan

Joe Jordan spoke of his burning desire to return to the dugout as a manager — as Craig Levein’s job remained hanging in the balance.

Levein’s future as Scotland manager was still shrouded in mystery yesterday after members of the SFA Board met to discuss his position following the national team’s dismal start to the World Cup qualifying campaign.

Jordan, along with Gordon Strachan, Walter Smith and Alex McLeish, has been mooted as a possible successor if a line is drawn under Levein’s three-year reign.

But, while Jordan steadfastly refused to be drawn on his interest in the post should Levein be sacked, he admitted to being open-minded about where the next chapter of his footballing life lies and said he ‘wouldn’t close any door’.

Currently out of work after leaving his coaching role with Tottenham in the summer, Jordan hasn’t managed a team since a caretaker spell at Portsmouth four years ago.

Despite spending much of the past decade as part of Harry Redknapp’s backroom teams at Portsmouth and White Hart Lane, the 60-year-old has retained an ambition to be his own man at some stage.

‘In respect of my future, I’d like to think I wouldn’t just be pigeon- holed,’ he said.

‘If I’m fortunate enough to get opportunities, I’d look at what they are irrespective if that’s being a manager that makes the final decision or someone that’s part of a coaching team. I wouldn’t close any door.

‘I have been an assistant and I have been part of a coaching group for a number of years but I wouldn’t like to be labelled just like that. I would just like to get back involved in football.’

Legend: Jordan netted for Scotland in three World Cup finals

The man who famously scored in three World Cup finals started his managerial career at Bristol City before spells with Hearts and Stoke.

But, having subsequently been part of the set-ups that won the FA Cup with Pompey and took Spurs into the Champions League, Jordan believes he is now better equipped to handle all that management could throw at him.

Asked if he felt he’d make a better manager nowadays, he replied: ‘Without any shadow of a doubt, yes. Definitely, no question, because you learn an awful lot when things don’t go particularly well, also.

‘I have worked at the lower levels, with teams where the expectation has been realistic, and with Spurs, where the expectation is high, and at Portsmouth, where the expectation was just: “Please survive, stay in the division”.’

Jordan believes Levein should be backed all the way by the nation.

‘For as long as he’s manager, we should get behind him,’ he said.

On a knife edge: Levein is fighting for his future

Craig Levein to discover Scotland fate

Posted on October 30, 2012 by adminsports

Levein's future hangs in balance with SFA to make decision before Luxembourg friendly

UPDATED:

22:30 GMT, 29 October 2012

Craig Levein's Scotland fate will be settled by the end of the week — as the SFA confront the possibility of being without a full-time national team manager for next month’s friendly with Luxembourg.

The squad for the November 14 game would have to be named next week, placing Levein in the potentially awkward situation of selecting players — and facing the media —while his position was still to be settled by the SFA board.

With that in mind, it is understood they will meet the Scotland boss within the next 72 hours.

Plenty to ponder: Craig Levein (right) has struggled as Scotland manager

Levein’s position was placed under review after a disastrous start to the World Cup qualifying campaign, with Scotland sitting bottom of Group A after four games.

Having already failed to qualify for the Euro 2012 finals, the reality of another campaign over before it has begun has turned many Tartan Army members against Levein.

Final straw Scotland lost to Belgium earlier this month

But he will be given a chance to state his case before board members, who will then decide whether or not to strike a severance deal that could cost them 700,000 — just months after they passed up on a break clause that would have seen the manager leave without compensation.

Should Levein go, the SFA will have to appoint a caretaker boss for the undemanding meeting with Luxembourg.

Craig Levein sacking would cost 700,000

Posted on October 18, 2012 by adminsports

That's rich! 700,000 is the cost of getting rid of Levein after Scotland shambles

UPDATED:

22:48 GMT, 17 October 2012

The SFA face being hit with a 700,000 bill to get rid of World Cup flop Craig Levein — after passing on a chance to ditch him for nothing.

And the man at the Hampden helm when Levein was hired now believes the Scotland boss should resign, saving the national game a fortune and salvaging some of his own reputation with a grand gesture.

Levein is Scotland's highest-paid national team manager in history and, with almost two years of his contract remaining, will be in line for a mammoth pay-out if the Association sack him.

Heading out Craig Levein could be sacked as Scotland manager

Yet there was an option to release him for nothing after we failed to reach the Euro 2012 finals — an option not taken as SFA chief executive Stewart Regan hailed the ‘considerable progress’ made in finishing third in our qualifying group.

With our World Cup 2014 campaign now in tatters, the national game can kiss goodbye to an expected windfall of up to 10million for each of the teams making it to Brazil. The financial realities have prompted former SFA chief executive Gordon Smith, part of the panel who hired Levein, to call for his resignation.

Smith told Sportsmail: ‘I think he should walk away with his dignity intact. It would be a nice gesture because it would represent a financial saving for the game — at a time when money is crucial.

End of the road: Scotland suffered their second straight defeat in Belgium

‘He would get kudos for resigning, as opposed to being sacked. I think he has to realise things haven’t worked out and he will be leaving, one way or another.

‘He is on a decent salary and, if he is sacked, there will be a pay-off. His contract had an option that was renewed after the last campaign.

‘I believe our campaign is over. Most people felt we had to pick up something from our last two games. Two teams in our group now have 10 points and we have two.

‘I believe we have a good group of players, so the common denominator is the manager and that is why we are not in a position to qualify.

‘Now it will be down to the SFA themselves to make a decision.’

Craig Levein in final bid to keep his job

Posted on October 16, 2012 by adminsports

Last orders! As Scotland face crunch in Belgium, Levein makes final bid to keep his job

UPDATED:

23:05 GMT, 15 October 2012

Craig Levein insists he is still the man to lead Scotland from the international wilderness.

Under intense pressure to save his job by beating World Cup qualifying group leaders Belgium here on Tuesday night, the Fifer believes his side have one huge result in their locker.

Others remain unconvinced, however, with the clamour for the SFA to act certain to reach a crescendo if Levein fails to deliver a victory over the star-studded hosts in the King Baudouin Stadium.

Big ask: Craig Levein knows his job is under threat if results continue

Claiming that chopping and changing managers is not the answer to the nation’s woes, the 47-year-old maintained he is still the man to get results for Scotland — despite damaging evidence to the contrary so far.

Asked if he felt he was still the right man for the job, Levein replied: ‘Yes I do. I believe in what I am doing. Whatever happens will happen. It is outwith my control.

‘All I am saying to you is that I know how much work has gone into the point we are at now. And I just feel we are a small fraction away from the one result which turns everything.’

Levein insisted he is oblivious to the debate raging over his future in Scotland, which has hit fever pitch following the 2-1 defeat against Wales in Cardiff, and refuses to entertain any queries over his future.

‘I don’t even think about it,’ he said. ‘All I can do is concentrate on the games. After Friday night’s result, we had to get over the disappointment, get on to the training ground, have team meetings and focus on this next match.

‘To me, thinking about anything else, or worrying about anything else, is counter-productive. Those decisions (concerning his future) are not mine. I firmly believe in what we’re doing, I really do.

Controversy: Scotland were denied a clear goal before Gareth Bale's heroics

‘What I need more than anything else — to convince other people — is to get some results.’

The Scotland boss remains angered by the decisions of the German officials in Cardiff last Friday.

A disallowed goal for Steven Fletcher robbed the Scots of a two-goal lead with only 15 minutes remaining and pre-empted a Welsh comeback inspired by the brilliance of Gareth Bale.

Levein accepts that he will be judged by results but claimed that axing a succession of managers had done nothing to arrest the nation’s cycle of international decline in the last 14 years.

‘We have not qualified (for a major tournament) since 1998 — that’s a fact,’ he said. ‘And you can chop and change managers as many times as you want and say: “That manager didn’t work and that manager didn’t work and that one didn’t work”.

‘What happens then is you go out and look for another manager who is the Messiah and he is going to make everything work.

‘But I keep saying that the teams at the top of the tree are the ones that have actually put a system in place to produce players. This is me talking about the long game — this is not about just now.’

Kenny Miller says Craig Levein not to blame for Scotland"s Wales defeat

Posted on October 15, 2012 by adminsports

Don't blame Craig! Miller defends Levein after devastating qualifying defeat to Wales

UPDATED:

21:47 GMT, 14 October 2012

Kenny Miller insists Scotland’s players are to blame for carrying Craig Levein to the managerial brink.

The Scots leave Cardiff for Brussels for the second leg of the World Cup qualifying double-header on Monday morning, with the manager’s job firmly on the line.

After the controversial 2-1 defeat to Wales, Scotland are now fifth in Group A after three games — five points adrift of Tuesday night’s opponents and Croatia — and defeat to star-studded Belgium would intensify calls for the SFA to act over Levein’s position.

Under fire: Craig Levein's Scotland side lost 2-1 to Wales, despite being 1-0 up for much of the game

Despite being dropped to make way for the returning Steven Fletcher, however, Miller believes the players must shoulder responsibility for the disintegration of another qualifying campaign.

‘We’re 100 per cent behind Craig,’ said Miller. ‘The buck stops with him, but we fully support him. We love working with him, we like the set-up but we can only justify that by getting results on the park.

‘In these first three games, we have let down ourselves and we have let down the manager.’

To add to the beleaguered Scotland boss’s problems, he suffered a fresh
blow when Celtic captain Scott Brown’s degenerative hip
problem forced him out of the squad, along with Parkhead team-mate James
Forrest, who has headed home because of a groin injury picked up in
training last week.

Another go: Charlie Adam and his Scotland team-mates were in Cardiff on Sunday preparing for their trip to Belgium

That latest double setback will also leave the players’ club boss, Neil Lennon, with his own worries just 10 days before meeting Barcelona at the Nou Camp in the Champions League.

Cardiff City’s Don Cowie has been called in as a replacement after Brown lasted just 45 minutes of the defeat to Wales.

As for the latest loss and the mounting
pressure on Levein, Miller added: ‘You boys have been calling for a lot
of things and you pretty much get what you want.

‘The lads who you called for have been there — and again it’s another disappointing result.

‘But we totally believe he (Levein) is the right man for the job. We are 100 per cent behind him.
‘We believe we are making progress, although we have not shown it on the field. We believe in what he is trying to do.’

Costly: Shaun Maloney gave away the penalty which allowed Wales a route back into the game

Levein himself insists he is fully focused on beating Belgium and is not contemplating his future.

‘I don’t even think about that,’ he said. ‘I am doing the best I can. There are a lot of good things happening.

‘The games are so few and far between, yet they mean so much. The intensity surrounding these matches is incredible.

‘I am resilient if nothing else and I believe 100 per cent that we are heading in the right direction.

‘Football is about results, I admit that. But Stewart Regan (SFA chief executive) is a strong man.

Welcome back: Steven Fletcher returned to the Scotland squad, but was unable to lift his side to a victory

‘I want to do this job, certainly into the World Cup Finals in Brazil. I would love more than anything to be the Scotland manager going there. I still believe we are capable.’

Meanwhile, Belgian coach Marc Wilmots expressed sympathy for his opposite number but vowed to show little mercy when the countries meet .

He said: ‘I’m sorry for Mr Levein that he is in a difficult situation for the moment and I hope his career will go on in a good way.

‘But we can’t take all that into account on Tuesday because we need the three points and that’s what we are going for.’

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