Levein set for Scotland talks

17 December 2009 12:10

The Scottish Football Association have asked Dundee United for permission to speak with Craig Levein over the Scotland manager's job.

The 45-year-old former Cowdenbeath, Hearts, Leicester City and Raith Rovers manager has been linked with the vacancy following the SFA's decision to part company with George Burley last month.

Levein guided the Terrors to a creditable fifth-placed finish in the Scottish Premier League last season, while this year they currently occupy fourth spot.

However, the SFA must first persuade chairman Steven Thompson to part company with a manager he holds in high regards.

Speaking in November, he said: '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 ten years from now.

'I suppose it's a compliment our manager is being mentioned in these terms. 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.

'I want the best for my club and we want to hold onto the management team in place.'

Source: DSG