Source: Team_Talk
Levein opens door for trio to return
The wintery weather threatened to further delay Levein's signing of a four-and-a-half-year contract but the loose ends were tied up shortly before 6pm.[LNB]Levein, 45, earlier stepped down as manager of Dundee United, where he spent just over three years in charge.[LNB]Levein, who has been one of the favourites for the role from the outset, was first given permission to speak to the SFA last Thursday.[LNB]After meeting with them on Monday, confirmation of his appointment had been expected on Tuesday but negotiations proved protracted and their conclusion was not helped by the weather.[LNB]A delighted Levein, who cost the SFA a reported £250,000 in compensation, said: "As a proud Scotland fan, it is a dream come true to take charge of the national team.[LNB]"I very much enjoyed my time at Dundee United, and would like to thank the players, backroom staff, supporters, directors, chairman Stephen Thompson, and everyone associated with the club for their support, but I felt that this was an opportunity that I couldn't pass up.[LNB]"I was delighted to put pen to paper today, and now I can't wait to get started, as we prepare for the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign."[LNB]SFA chief executive Gordon Smith added: "Craig was the unanimous choice of the board and brings a wealth of experience as a player - including 16 international caps for Scotland - and as a coach.[LNB]"He has established a firm reputation as one of the most respected managers in the country and has already expressed his excitement at leading Scotland into the qualification campaign for Euro 2012 and beyond.[LNB]"I am sure the players, the Scotland supporters and media will share his ambitions and I urge the whole country to get behind the new manager in the collective aim to return to a major championship finals."[LNB]SFA president George Peat said: "Craig has already demonstrated his ambition to succeed with Scotland by leaving a coveted position as both manager and director of football at Dundee United.[LNB]"I am delighted we have managed to conclude the recruitment process successfully and ahead of schedule."[LNB]Speaking at his unveiling at Hampden, Levein said: "Not much of a secret was it, really?!"[LNB]"I really am thrilled to be here today.[LNB]"When I first got word of the SFA being interested in me being the manager, obviously I was very excited indeed.[LNB]"It's difficult to express just how proud I feel being a Scotsman and having followed the national team all my life.[LNB]"My job is to try to do the best job that I can for the country, to work as hard as I can to see if we can take Scotland back into, if possible, into the next qualifying campaign and see if we can qualify for the Euros."[LNB]Levein insisted the protracted nature of proceedings was no reflection on his desire to succeed George Burley as manager.[LNB]"Don't let the length of time today fool you," he said. "That is no indication of how much I wanted this job.[LNB]"Today was a little bit protracted but, so what?"[LNB]Levein expressed concern at the weekend that he might become bored in the periods when Scotland were not playing.[LNB]"One of the main things for me was the chance to get involved not just in the running of the national team but also to have an input into things that were happening behind the scenes at the SFA.[LNB]"But that will take a little bit of time.[LNB]"I'll be in here and it'll be easy for me just to have a look at how things are set up and see if there's anything that I can suggest could be done differently or better."[LNB]Smith welcomed Levein's input beyond his first-team remit. "Craig will have an input," he said.[LNB]"Craig's got a lot of ideas on the development of youth players, as I have, and other people within the organisation have.[LNB]"We have a very progressive system within the SFA."[LNB]The Burley regime saw Rangers striker Boyd refuse to play under his management, while Ferguson and McGregor were both banned for life in the wake of the 'Boozegate' affair.[LNB]Levein, who insisted Scotland had players good enough to win matches, said: "I will not be ruling out any players.[LNB]"Whether those players, when selected, don't want to come, then that's a different matter.[LNB]"My job's to try to qualify, so I'll be picking the best players."[LNB]Levein said he was encouraged by Ferguson's comments he would consider a return to international football, adding: "We're not a big nation. We need every top-quality player."[LNB]Levein revealed he had asked his assistant at United Peter Houston - who is now caretaker manager at Tannadice - to join his backroom staff.[LNB]Explaining such a role would not be full-time, Levein said: "I still hope very much that Peter can come along an assist me on matchdays.[LNB]"But what we have established - George, Gordon and I - is that there is a place for a full-time scout to scour Europe and watch teams we're playing against."[LNB]Peat admitted he and Levein had not always seen eye to eye.[LNB]He said: "I've never been a yes man, he's never been a yes man. So we'll get on like a house on fire."[LNB]Asked if he was confident Levein could succeed where Burley had failed, Smith said: "When we appointed George Burley, we obviously felt George could succeed.[LNB]"It's the same aspect with this appointment, too, because we do think Craig is the right person for the job."[LNB]Smith refused to discuss the SFA's compensation negotiations with United chairman Thompson, who has been furious with the way the pursuit of Levein had been handled.[LNB]He said: "I've just been speaking with Mr Thompson so I'll leave it there."[LNB][LNB]
