LOST IN TRANSITION
HEARTS
CRAIG LEVEIN will know more than anyone that his time in the Hearts dugout had to come to an end.
If he was simply wearing his director of football hat then it was a decision he’d have been making if it was anyone other than him on the end of it.
I also understand there’s no way he can continue with his all-powerful role behind the scenes.
The new Hearts manager must be his own man and be allowed to follow his own vision.
But that doesn’t mean Levein should be chased from the club altogether.
There has been a bit of an outcry over the fact he’ll remain at Tynecastle in some capacity until the end of his contract next year.
What kind of input he has is not yet clear but some people seem to be up in arms about the suggestion he might have some sort of say in appointing his successor.
I would put it another way. Why wouldn’t you want him to have a say?
Levein has a wealth of experience in football, with nearly 700 games as a manager.
There is also absolutely no doubt he has the best interests of the club at heart.
Does anyone really think he’s going to try to shaft the club he loves? No chance. He’ll want the best man for the job and want him to be successful.
You can throw the appointment of Ian Cathro at him but he was hot at the time he got the job. OK, it was an experiment that didn’t come off but Robbie Neilson was also a gamble. Look how that panned out.
Ann Budge is a safe pair of hands in the board room, she has shown managers patience and support.
She has also relied heavily on Levein for guidance.
Who will she have if he’s not got an input? Should she just listen to the punters?
Don’t be daft. She should listen to the man who knows what it’s all about.
I have some sympathies for Levein. You can’t excuse the results in the last 12 months but his side have been crippled by injuries and poor form has seen confidence spiral.
You have to admire him for putting his neck on the line by they are also unbeaten in their last six.