Levein to bring back stability

CRAIG Levein believes he is the man to bring back stability to Hearts — even if it means juggling two jobs.

The Jambos director of football has returned to the Tynecastle manager’s office he occupied between 2000 and 2004.

Owner Ann Budge has handed the former Scotland head coach a three-year contract to lead the firstteam but he will retain his other post as well as a seat on the Gorgie board.

Hearts have been on the lookout for a new boss since axing Ian Cathro four weeks ago.

Caretaker Jon Daly was considered but Budge was reluctant to hand the rookie coach a “poisoned chalice” amid a testing period that will see the club based at Murrayfield until November while the finishing touches are put to their new main stand.

Former servants Steven Pressley and Paul Hartley were also in the running but Budge decided Levein was the right man.

“There is a moment when it is right and that moment’s n ow,” s a i d 5 2 - ye a r- o l d Levein. “The club is in a fairly healthy place. In my role as director of football, I’ve been able to build the club back up to the place where it is just now, which I think is in very good shape and makes it possible for me to do the two jobs at once.

“Pa r t o f the process involved Ann wanting to be absolutely certain I was capable of doing the two jobs. But the football department i s i n such a good place that I said to Ann, ‘I can do that’. I did it at Dundee United for two-anda-half years.

“I think Jon Daly did a fantastic job in the interim period.”

Craig Levein is unveiled as Hearts’ new manager alongside chairwoman Ann Budge.