Ric Flair Posted 1 November 2004 Posted 1 November 2004 New city boss craig levein has already spotted the need for youth, but he is also looking at the bigger picture, as he told Bill AndersonGiving youth its head and building for a consolidated place in the Premiership - they are going to be the keynotes of Craig Levein's managerial reign at Leicester City. The new boss takes over today after watching the draw at Cardiff on Saturday and his initial view will be a boost to a lot of young hopefuls. He said: "I have watched a lot of English games on TV but there is always more attention to detail when you are watching your own team and Saturday was the first real study I had of what I am coming into. "I found that what I saw on paper is evident out on the park - experience throughout the team, very few younger players with enthusiasm and hunger. That is something that has to be addressed. "For me, you have got to have youngsters coming through. Some managers look at their teams and say we don't have enough experienced players. Well Leicester have. "What they don't have enough of are the 24 to 28s and youngsters, and there has got to be a balance on age, also on positions. "You need two right-backs, two left-backs, four centre-backs, four centre midfielders, two for each of the wide positions and two for the front roles.That is what we have to try to achieve. "That is not apparent, not something I can see immediately. Those are first impressions." Levein knows there are two strands to the job here, pulling City back up towards the play-off places as well as laying solid foundations for the future. He admitted: "The reality is that we need to win matches now, not tomorrow or three years from now. That is important. "I have this idea that I need to build something. "I need to be as focused and direct as I have been in previous jobs. And my aim is to make the whole club better so that, if I leave, then I will do so with the club in a better state than when I started and I can go home at night and sleep. "I did the right thing at Hearts and at Cowdenbeath because I had no fear of the sack. "I would hate to do what other people thought I should do, as in the directors, players or supporters. I have got this clear idea that if I can do the job properly then all these people will be happy. "For me it is about building for further down the line, to get a team that can stay in the Prem-iership, and that will only work if the whole club is built upon a youth set-up. "Some might say I should be concentrating only on the first team, but that is not what it is about. I want to have a look at the youth set-up, the whole thing, and try to work out how Leices-ter can play in the Premiership. "The English Premiership is the best league in the world without a doubt and I want to get in there with Leicester. "I am not using this as a stepping stone. Loyalty is a huge thing and I don't want anyone to think this is a stop on the way to something else. "Loyalty has been the thread throughout my career but the reason I left Hearts was that there were cut-backs which meant I could not see the progress continuing." Levein has no leeway in the transfer market as money is unavailable to him, something he accepted when he agreed to take over at City. He said: "I knew that when I took the job on, but I liked the feel of the place. "My whole ethos is based on gut feeling. Sometimes my head says this is a lot of rubbish but I felt this was what I wanted as soon as I walked in the door." Levein knows some eyebrows were raised at the appointment but that does not bother him. He said: "I am an unknown quantity down here but I have watched loads of games and it is not as if I don't know the players. "Martin Keown and Dion Dublin I have great respect for, some of the younger ones I am not so sure of. For instance, I hadn't heard about Jordan Stewart, so I cannot claim to have any great knowledge of the market here. "But I have watched many of games from this division and Premiership reserve sides when looking for players for Hearts and that has been quite handy because I have got some names already who might do. "And I can say without a shadow of a doubt that what I am looking for is younger legs and freshness, and ultimately for Leicester to be working underneath to get good young players of our own." The big question is - can he take City up this season? Levein said: "I have got two things to achieve. First, to get results and second to build the team. So, if I can do those two together, I have got a chance. "People maybe want me to say I can do this and that but I don't say I can do something I am not convinced I can do. "I have a skeleton of what I think is right for building the team and I am working towards that." Everything he says is brilliant. Not keen on the Dublin bit, but he might get him playing well. Could you ever imagine Micky Adams being this honest and presise and professional? Levein you are the man to take us forward, see you tomorrow son.
Scarby Posted 1 November 2004 Posted 1 November 2004 I hope that isnt Jordan out the door! It took us long enough to get him to sign that bloody contract
Leicester_Mad Posted 1 November 2004 Posted 1 November 2004 I hope that isnt Jordan out the door!It took us long enough to get him to sign that bloody contract 32222[/snapback] dont think it will be Jordan out the door, the fact he didnt know anything about him and mentioned him could mean that he impressed him on saturday? Glad to hear him come out in the open and say his hopes and ambitions and also look at it from a realistic point of view. I feel we have someone very similar to MON here, lets hope he is at least half as successful
Marcoos Posted 1 November 2004 Posted 1 November 2004 Comments are spot on and makes me look forward to the future with optimism (something unable to do under MA) I my opinion this is a great appointment, by far the best man in an otherwise very average list of candidates Roll on Tuesday
Hullfox Posted 1 November 2004 Posted 1 November 2004 Impressive comments. I hate it when I feel this confident.
Ric Flair Posted 1 November 2004 Author Posted 1 November 2004 Impressive comments. I hate it when I feel this confident. 32232[/snapback] Ha ha I know what you mean. At the minute I can't see Levein doing anything other than making us world beaters. That is why us fans are fans and not football managers or players.
dave Posted 1 November 2004 Posted 1 November 2004 I hope that isnt Jordan out the door!It took us long enough to get him to sign that bloody contract 32222[/snapback] I do, he's awful, cant cross, can't defend!
Scarby Posted 1 November 2004 Posted 1 November 2004 I hope that isnt Jordan out the door!It took us long enough to get him to sign that bloody contract 32222[/snapback] I do, he's awful, cant cross, can't defend! 32242[/snapback] He is just part of the club i feel!!
Anish Posted 1 November 2004 Posted 1 November 2004 I was impressed by what Levein said there. A bit disappointed that he has great respect for Dion - hopefully CL will realise that he's past it after a training session or two!
Louise Posted 1 November 2004 Posted 1 November 2004 Just to add another interview: Opening shots by Bill Anderson Craig Levein admitted that his nerves would be on edge when he walked into the Leicester City dressing room for the first time today. A very interested spectator at the 0-0 draw in Cardiff on Saturday, the new manager was going to put his cards on the table immediately with the squad. He was also going to introducing his new backroom staff - his Hearts colleague Peter Houston and another former Tynecastle man, Kenny Black from Airdrie United. An assistant manager is set to be appointed in due course but the main factor today was Levein's first contact with his squad and his plans for tomorrow night's trip to Crewe. Levein said of meeting the players: "I am nervous about that even though I have been dealing with international players at Hearts on a regular basis. "Probably they might be nervous about me but my intentions are true - I want to do well for this club. "The big question is: 'Can I get things heading in the direction we should be? "I believe I can. I am honest. I have a philosophy in the dressing room that, if you play well, you stay in the team. I try to be honest with players. "Ultimately, I need the players to work as hard for the club as I am going to." He makes his first real impact with the Crewe game - so has this clash come at the right time, with only one training session to work with the players? He said: "It was suggested I might have been in charge on Saturday at Cardiff, but I might have cost us a point! "I am not only looking forward to Crewe but I am also looking forward to the whole thing. "You have no idea how excited I am. "My new staff - Peter Houston and Kenny Black - will start with me and in due course there will be an assistant manager. "I hope that happens in the next couple of days. "I am excited about the whole thing. "With all my games for Hearts and Scotland then being a manager, this is the biggest thing that has happened to me." link
Guest Posted 1 November 2004 Posted 1 November 2004 I'm starting to look forward to going to games again!!
Ric Flair Posted 1 November 2004 Author Posted 1 November 2004 Not only does this man talk alot of sense, you can tell how ****in proud he is to be our manager. He's not arrogant, he's almost sheepish about it all but then he's got that confidence about himself. He seems like a chap with morals and is clearly honest, just what we want and need. He has my upmost respect. Craig Levein's...................
Louise Posted 1 November 2004 Posted 1 November 2004 Yes, if performances on the pitch are half as good as his interviews we'll be going up this or next season. The stat on another thread of Hearts being undefeated at home in the league (apart from Old Firm games), for two years is wonderful really, especially with our poor home form...Defeated about as many times we've won <_<
Ricey Posted 1 November 2004 Posted 1 November 2004 I am one excited Leicester fan! The fact that he has already realised we need the determination and freshness of youth is very encouraging indeed. He speaks so openly about things and his determination to suceed is evident, he is positive which is something I see as key to being a good football manager. I like the fact he is excited, this can only make him even more determined to suceed with this club. All of what this guy has said since being appointed has left me feeling relieved, delighted and excited.......let the good times commence! :w00t:
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.