Source: Team_Talk
Terrors chief keen to keep Levein
Levein was installed as one of the early favourites to become the new Scotland boss after George Burley was sacked on Monday.[LNB]But Thompson told the Scottish Sun: "I don't want Craig going anywhere. He's the club's longest-serving manager since Jim McLean and, while Craig's an ambitious man, I'd love to still have him here five or 10 years from now.[LNB]"I suppose it's a compliment our manager is being mentioned in these terms.[LNB]"But it's difficult as, while I'll always want the national team to do well, at the end of the day I don't own the national football team.[LNB]"I want the best for my club and we want to hold onto the management team in place. I have huge respect for Craig as a person and a manager and all I really want is for him to remain as our manager.[LNB]"Hopefully the SFA find someone else for the job."[LNB]Thompson has not yet decided whether he would allow Levein to speak to the SFA should they come calling.[LNB]"If the SFA do ask for permission to speak to him I could refuse, because he's got a contract here," he said. "But that will depend on the man himself, although all that would be between Craig and I.[LNB]"Would I consider him doing both jobs? I'd have to think about that, but I don't think Scotland have to appoint a manager overnight."[LNB]Other favourites include Jim Jeffries, Gary McAllister and Walter Smith, but one man who had stated even before Burley left that he would not want the job was Graeme Souness.[LNB]However, former Scotland striker Mo Johnston, who was managed by Souness at Rangers, believes he could - and should - be persuaded to change his mind.[LNB]He said: "Graeme still has a passion for Scotland. I saw that when I was with him at the Scotland Hall of Fame dinner on Sunday. Talking to him about it, he was still hurting a little bit but sometimes you say certain things in the heat of the moment.[LNB]"He could easily come in and shake the trees. He's got that mentality and he certainly has that passion.[LNB]"He is a very persuasive man. But I honestly believe he can be persuaded."[LNB][LNB]
