It's Craig Levein For Me -

[davieG]

He's the man for LCFC, but would he come?

Here's some comments on him:

Hearts Website

Craig Levein's masterplan for Hearts is starting to take shape, we're solid in defence and have a great fighting spirit away from home, the ability to grind these results out even when the chips are down, are testament to Craig Levein and his boys. When we're 1-0 down, no longer do we just give up thankfully!

Now critics of last Sunday's performance against the Dons would have you believing Hearts are a dirty side. Crocking four Dons stars, one even saying he doesn't like players going in on his knee, why he's in football I don't know...but anyway ok, Simmons deserved that yellow, but the rest were fine and both players were going in for the ball so as in real life, you get what you give. Craig Levein rightly pointed out that it could've been Hearts on the end of all the injuries, in fact it can happen to any team, any week. Just the 'Dons were unlucky I guess!

But it's this sort of commitment that shouldn't be discouraged. For too long we've witnessed our players shirking out of challenges, and where did that get us?

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The Scotsman

WHEN Dave Mackay talks about managers it’s worth listening. In a glittering career with Hearts, Tottenham and Derby he played for Tommy Walker, Bill Nicholson and Brian Clough and won trophies under all three.

On his return to his native Edinburgh last week, Mackay took in a couple of Hearts games and had the opportunity to speak to Craig Levein. He was impressed with what he saw and heard, so much so that he fears the Tynecastle club could lose their talented head coach.

Having guided Hearts into Europe in successive season for the first time in 11 years, Levein’s stock has risen. His achievements are all the more impressive given the backdrop of financial austerity which has seen the team lose a clutch of experienced internationals.

Mackay fears the cost-cutting will take its toll and could force Levein to further his career elsewhere. "Craig Levein’s an excellent manager, I really like him," he said yesterday at the launch of his autobiography, The Real Mackay. "But Hearts will have to be careful they don’t lose him. The manager’s job is to build the team up and he’s got to get a bit of money to do that."

With Hearts more than £19million in debt and in the process of selling Tynecastle to stave off creditors, the chances of Levein seeing any cash are slim. But prudence has been the watchword for Levein throughout his management career at Cowdenbeath and Hearts.

Having watched Hearts hold Rangers at Tynecastle then defeat SC Braga in the UEFA Cup at Murrayfield, Mackay has been quite taken by the present team. While they still fall some way short of the Tynecastle side Mackay captained to a record-breaking championship success in 1958, the former half-back was sufficiently impressed to call on the board to do all in its power to hang on to Levein.

"He can only take them so far if he’s not getting much help from the board," Mackay added. "They certainly don’t want to lose him because that would be tragic."

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Hearts Website

When the final whistle blew on Rangers hopes for qualification into the Champions League, one thought immediately sprung into mind. How long can we hang onto our highly regarded coach?

With Rangers out of the Champions League, their thoughts will be turning to the league. One problem though: their next opponents are Celtic at Parkhead and defeat would almost certainly spell the end of Alex McLeish’s reign as Rangers boss. This brings me onto who would be the ideal replacement. In all honesty, in the beginning, I couldn’t care too much who Rangers take on until you start to think a little closer to home. Craig Levein would surely be on any short list given the miracles he has performed the last few years at Hearts under a budget so tight, he’s hardly had any breathing space.

Given the recent events off the park at Tynecastle, it’s conceivable to think that Levein will eventually move on to bigger and better things. Whenever a manager in one of the top two divisions in England has left, it’s not long before Levein’s name is being touted about on the message-boards as a replacement. A compliment I can only admire as we want the best at Hearts. Good players move on and it’s the same with managers. Look at Alex McLeish: he began as a coach at Motherwell, took over as manager full-time then went to Hibernian as it was deemed a step up before doing the dirty on them for Rangers.

Craig Levein would surely be on any short list

Levein is a Hearts man through and through but as a coach; he must have ambitions to climb higher. My fear is that Levein will be offered the Rangers and will find it impossible to turn down as he’s previously shared his frustration at being unable to win the league title with Hearts. I personally hope he stays at Hearts for a long, long time but I’m also realistic to know he could leave at anytime as he’s ready for that level.

Despite limited experience coaching in Europe, many must have been impressed by the way he comfortably guided Hearts through to the 1st round of the UEFA Cup before the tactical masterstroke in Bordeaux. Many a good team wouldn’t be expected to win in Bordeaux yet Levein guided Hearts to victory by playing a spoiling game 3-6-1 formation realising that playing 4-4-2 would probably spell defeat that night. Although the second leg was a disappointment, it was by no means a disgrace and it was a huge learning curve for Levein.

The next couple of weeks could be telling for Levein and Hearts supporters. If Levein does somehow end up at Ibrox, his first game in charge would be against none other than Hearts – at Tynecastle. Hopefully it will be Levein guiding Hearts to another victory.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 26 August 2004 )

[Ric Flair]

I voted for Levein as my choice last week before he was linked. He would be my first choice over all the other managers easily. Class act.

[dan_84]

mine to

[Alexikokopops]

Having read that, I'm liking the sound of him more and more.