Listened to Levein on the radio speak about his days as Scotland boss. He basically admitted that he wasnt a good fit for international manager. Another former Hearts boss said exactly the same thing a month ago - Burley. Its honest of them I suppose. But you would think both would have an idea of what an international manager may be like in advance of having taken the job. There are certain things you would know. You would know you are getting someone elses players. You would know those players are not your employees. You would know you only play a few games in a year. And you would know you rarely have your squad together. Other than picking a team and the tactics it is simply nothing like club management. I think you would have a good sense if you felt your own personality a winning fit for that or not. It would be you accepting a job as long distance lorry driver when your number one hate is being away from home. You dont need to have done the job to know what it would involve. I suppose both Burley and Levein may have had those doubts but decided they wanted the job so accepted and hoped for the best. Burley was not in work. Levein was but only at Dundee United. So I can understand if they had doubts but took the gamble. However, failing as boss of the national team can be a cruel mistress indeed. It is fair to say that in a lot of cases if you cannot cut it as Scotland boss then it damages you as a manager. Very few fail as Scotland boss and go on to show the World what a great manager they were after all ever again. Burley will do well to get another decent job. Vogts vanished near off the radar. Levein? He may not admit it, but I think it effected him as well. Indeed, I think it was a factor in him wanting to be the front man for Mrs B here, and not in the dug out. At no time do I think Levein angled to be head coach here during his talks with Mrs B. There is more job security in his position now. Levein is not bomb proof and Mrs B no mug. However, such is the faith she has placed in him that if results went awry, I think Neilson would be sacrificed first. Levein would survive at least one ropey appointment imo. If results go well? He gets to look like the man that can spot a rising coaching talent (which would be fair enough). Naturally we should back Leveins endeavours. Pass judgement in year. Id sooner have an experienced football man in that position that some bean counter. I quietly approve of the structure Hearts are trying to put in place. For the first time in ten years or more it suggests long term thinking. I dont expect nor demand everything knit into place right away. There will be set backs. Not every player we sign will be a good one. Not every coach we bring in will do as well as we hope. This is normal. So long as I see that we are generally going in the right direction I can live with the odd dodgy result or two. I can deal with the idea that at least one of the players we sign may prove to be duff(by law of averages).
Posted on: Mon, 16 Jun 2014 01:50:10 +0000
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