Wilkie: Levein loss would be big blow

The defender was not surprised in the slightest to hear that the Tannadice boss has already emerged as one of the front-runners for the job.Levein and Rangers manager Walter Smith have been installed as the early bookmakers' favourites to replace George Burley after his 22-month reign came to an end on Monday.Wilkie said: "The manager has done a good job at United and his name has come up for the Scotland job before so I'm not really surprised that he is one of the favourites this time."It would be a huge blow if we were to lose him. He has a long-term idea of what he wants to do at United."He has shown that by trying to improve things from youth development right through to the first team."If he were to leave in the middle of that, it would be a blow for United and the players."Like any manager, it probably depends on the right opportunity coming along and whether he thinks the Scotland job is the right opportunity."It's a great job and a big opportunity to manage your country."Whether it's a big enough job to leave United for, that's up to him to decide. But I wouldn't hold it against him if that was the case."United chairman Stephen Thompson has already publicly stated his desire to retain the services of Levein and Wilkie fully expects him to put up a fight if the Scottish Football Association come calling.But the big centre-back fears he would be fighting a losing battle if Levein has his heart set on becoming the next Scotland manager.He said: "He has turned the club around since he has been here as manager. It's not just the first team he has improved, it's everything at the club."I'm sure Stephen Thompson will try his hardest to keep him."But if the manager decides the Scotland job is too much to turn down, I'm not sure if there is a lot the chairman can do."

Source: Team_Talk