A fred for sensible people to talk about the next Manager of Scotland

Alex the old wrinkled retainer 03 Dec 03:07
A junior journo from the Sun writes this garbage:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/2756058/Brownie-points.html
Where do they hire these people from? But maybe this is why Jimmy Calderwood has gone shorter this evening?

Good spot although I reckon it could have taken all of £3.74 to taken Calderwood down the this level.

I'll see if there are any titbits on the Scottish sport progs tonight.

Petrescu has applied formally for the job along with 20 or so others according to Radio Scotland.

apparently the SFA are going to approach both Levein and Walter Smith, hence why Smith has shortened again.

There may be a clue that they are not going with untried so Collins may be even more of a lay. If Levein wants it it may be his but can't see Smith going back on his public statements.

Smith to work without a contract until the end of the season:

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/rangers/2009/08/23/walter-smith-to-manage-rangers-without-contract-after-new-year-78057-21618006/

To be honest Templeton I'm not sure even this news will change his price much. I suppose if they want him they could take him to the Euro draw and officially start him at the end of the season.

In this market I don't even think if someone takes another job it'll affect their price.

Think we need some decent leaks betond the usual, Smith, Petrescu, Ossie Ardiles garnage..

It appears they're lining up McCoist to replace Smith. Smith is evidently unhappy with what's happening at Rangers and I think the only (realistic) job he'd leave Rangers for is the Scotland job. I am also fairly confident he'd be the first choice for the job.

However, as had been said above, Smith has said he wouldn't go back to doing the job so unless he changes his mind then it's not going to be him.

Petrescu to discuss Scotland job


Somebody was ahead of me on this one, last matched 6.4.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/8402689.stm

Yep it was me. Totally bored, thought I would waste some money Alec

Due to discuss job later in week, according to sweaty tv I was just watching. BBC no less

This usually coincides with trades nearer the region of 2 than 6.4

Rather surprised to find he was 6.4 in the first place tbh. Think everyone is asleep

wakey wakey...

I find myself in a surprisingly large green position on Desperate Dan.

This whole story has only been pushed by one Chick Young BBC journo north of the border with too much time on his hands because he's not going to South Africa.He is the only source you will find to hime as he interviewed him on his, "World of Football" programme. I think the mainfootie forum now need to hear about Dan McPetrescu.

I also hear that the Walter Smith link is being linked because of Darryl Broadfoot newly appointed Media Supremo in the SFA. Broadfoot was formerly, a loosely described journalist in the Glasgow Herald with a known fondness for the team in Blue (not Scotland). He had a particularly sycophantic relationship with "Uncle Walter". Smith reciprocated by feeding his favoured sons stories ahead of those not playing the game. This comes from Scottish journos who are now reporting the impending Smith approach.

The involvement of a Media Officer in the appointment of the next Scotland Manager is a sad but accurate relection of the stater of the game and how it's run in Scotland. I'm steering clear of Smith fwiw as he has too many "friends" in the SFA.

It's a curious one Erny, but not one I will lose sleep over ;-)

An up and coming euro manager reputedly throws his hat into the ring and the SFA can't get enough

Or so a journo would have us believe. Let us hope he continues the ramp

Petrescu has won the Romanian league. Roy Keane won the CCC at the first attempt. Unfortunately this displays the highest level of mediocrity the SFA can afford. The appearance of Hiddinck at the bottom of the list gives me no end of amusement.

Well, ok a little

I aim to entertain George.

Betfair have sadly denied us Ruud Gullit on the list.

Swapping his dreads for a "See You Jimmy" hat. I'd pay to see that.................once my Petrescu lay is matched.

First he is and within 24 hours he is not:

Dan Petrescu not having Scotland job talks, says Scottish FA sources

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/scotland/6764699/Dan-Petrescu-not-having-Scotland-job-talks-says-Scottish-FA-sources.html


Situation normal on the manager market rumour merry go round.

Apparently the 20 applicants are

Jimmy Calderwood
Darren Ferguson
Dan Petrescu
John Collins
Craig Levein
Gary McAllister
Csaba Laszlo
Colin Calderwood
Osvaldo Ardiles
Bruce Rioch
Marco Van Basten
Fernando Chalana
Co Adriaanse
Joe Jordan
Kevin Keegan
Ruud Gullit
Billy Stark
Gerry Francis
Eric Black
Juande Ramos

Those in bold have said publicly they're interested, and the italics those who have said they won't discuss it publicly...

As for the rest

Kevin Keegan, Ruud Gulltt, Gerry Francis and Ramos.

Well knock me down with a feather.

I wonder how much JJ gets paid at Spurs. He is a bit of a surprise.

The list appeared before the mainstream media started talking about 20 applicants.

Of course because you're interested doesn't mean they'll be interested in you but I'd always marked Keegan down as a dark horse because of his residency and that it might fit in with his wider interests.

It would be a huge story for the SFA too and might just generate more interest then Jmmy Calderwood or Jim Jefferies.

Heard JJ being interviewed a couple of weeks ago. The Scotland job wasn't up for discussion but when it was discussed theoretically he certainly didn't rule himself out.
He also has legendary status amongst the Tartan Army.

Surely they wouldn't appoint an Englishman?

Ernesto 09 Dec 11:01
Heard JJ being interviewed a couple of weeks ago. The Scotland job wasn't up for discussion but when it was discussed theoretically he certainly didn't rule himself out.
He also has legendary status amongst the Tartan Army.






In time the money will talk.

Templeton

If it's the right manager I don't think the support will care where they are from.

Petrescu (or his agent) has apparently blown it by making public the fact that she was meeting the SFA. Meeting cancelled.

Listened to the hacks on radio Scotland last night talking about Levein. Jim Spence the Dundee based reporter basically said they would have to double what's on offer (to around £700K) and Levein would want full control of the youth set up etc. He beleived any personal issues could be ruled out and that Levein would be interested......but in his opinion Levein, as it currently stands, wouldn't take the job

There was also a consensus that Smith was out of it as he wouldn't go back. It was put that it was George Peat the SFA chairman who had insisted on approaching Smith (in conjunction with Broadfoot I'd say).

The list of 20 has also been whittled down apparently.

Although I would not have anything against it I cannot see an Englishman get the job. One bad result and the media would be onto him in a frenzy.The public would soon follow and the position would be untenable.
Of the two mentioned however I would rather have Gerry Francis. Keegan alreeady pointed out he was not of International level.
I see Nevo Scala (ex Parma Manager) has put his name forward. A damn sight more qualified than John Collins.
I still want a over fifties Scottish Manager to take the post. The next appointment has to have a long term vision and as I have stated here before I do not want someone with little or no managerial experience as it is a lose/ lose situation.
I want either:
Kenny Dalglish
George Graham
Sir Alex Ferguson (Wins the Champions League in May and retires from Man Utd. Well I can dream can't I?)
Joe Jordan.
Failing that someone of the calibre of Gerard Houllier wouldn't go amiss.
And I've got loot on all of them apart from Joe Jordan!!!

Anybody heard any George Graham interviews recently?

Nice info Erny. I am massively green on most of the candidates.

Sadly this is because no fecker wants to back them

Does anyone remember the list of 'world class applicants' for the Sunderland job?

It ended up as Ricky Sbragia :-)

Surely Ricky should be a candidate.

A Scots Italian would be a helluva lot cheaper than La Scala.

You are slacking. Him him added

Get*

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/8407608.stm

Capello backs Nevio Scala's bid for Scotland job

Some cracking bbc ramps coming out

More:

Give Dalglish Scots job - Brown
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/8409301.stm

We'd be stuffed without the BBC ramping someone gents.
Look at the liquidity surrounding Levein. Nothing either side.
Think we'll be having a winter shutdown on this market as we did last time.

btw Uncle Walt has said he'll be finished with football after Rangers. You could argue he finished with football the minute he re-joined them. ;)

KEEGAN 3.0 :D

Missed it :(

Looks like they went back for second helpings too.

'world class applicants'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/8412120.stm

"We're looking for someone with experience but I won't react to any names. I think it's totally unfair if I speak about anyone in a positive or negative manner.

La Scala not Petrescu....

Could we see a situation were all of the home nations and the Republic are managed by old gits from Italy?

Gosh this is heating up. Bruce Rioch was matched today, and someone else yesterday

That will be a foreign manager, I expect. Press reports yesterday that there is a lot of foreign interest in the job. But we knew already that about half of the applicants are non scots.

I cannot see it being an Englishman, can you?

Note also that luna bid thinks he has a hot tip, see fred on the football forum which I will bump in a second.

Cheers Lexington

Dull interview with dull man saying dull things....

http://sport.stv.tv/football/144415-big-names-queue-up-for-scotland-job/

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/sport/Craig-Levein--a-natural.5911025.jp

Levein still has that smug look about him

'80% of applicants from abroad' lol

I note that this would not correspond to Ernie's list, not that I intend to diss Ernie

Why is this wee chappie not listed?


http://sport.stv.tv/football/101255-john-hughes-new-hibernian-manager/

His team seem to be in third place in a minor league

Diss away George. Pride comes before a fall (in earnings :D )

It's provenance is either the tartan Army Messageboard or the Pie and Bovril international forum. Either way it could be based on some tartan guesswork.

Hughes has said he currently has the best job in football at Hibs and is I believe a Hibee (played for them anyway.)

As for the English possibilities it would have to be a real catch like Keegan but don't forget that Terry Butcher was the asisstant manager until recently and we now have an English Coach of the Rugby team which has caused no probs.

Hello All.

Walter loves Craig:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/dec/14/craig-levein-scotland-manager-dundee

As for luna, I did toy with the idea of Strachan last week as he was a shoo-in in the summer before Burley's contract was extended. His father was a hibee.

Not exactly a lot of burning heather in Teeside at the mo but it's not Gibson's style to let him go but then again Boro have to go up financially don't they? No cash matched on him here though.

They do burn the heather on the Cleveland hills Ernie, to prevent flash fires in summer

I even have a photo of it :-)

Hughes added

And wgs is dampening those flames as we speak...

Sense a hardenng of opinion on the TA board in favour of King Kenny. A unifying figure. If he's interested it would surely be his for the taking.

KK/JJ dream team? Craig Brown is promoting it.

Really can't see Smith taking it even if he does leaves Rangers in January. His public lack of interest hasn't gone down well and I've heard jounos who are close to him, dismissing the idea instantly.

We have action and what looks like over exuberance.

The SFA ask for permission to talk to Levein. PP are offering 2.25 yet somebody has taken Levein at 1.5.

"And they're off"

I'd imagine that those in employment would be approached in the next day or so too, whilst the unemployed approaches may not leak until after that.

Whatever the scenario I can't see them moving away from the shortlisting process with Levein the only candidate. See Clarke has shortened but with no cash bringing it down. Hard to see him being anything oither than an assistant.

Interestingly it looks like The Guardian broke this story but on Levein it'll be worth following the thoughts of Jim Spence the BBC Dundee football guy who is, I believe, an Arab too.

I would be very disappointed if Levein got the job. He doesnt have anything like the required experience or gravitas for the post.

Again, I feel its perfectly suited to an elder statesman like a Graham, Dalglish or Smith who can steady the ship and nurture a Levein type for the next handover.

The salary needn't be that high as the post really neednt be full time. In my mind this job is perfectly suited to a man still with much to give, who commands respect on the world stage, will wow the punters on the SFA ambassadorial stuff but who doesnt want a 9-6 six days a week at a club.

I hope sense prevails and maturity wins out.

United Chairman Stephen Thompson" very unhappy" with the SFA's handling of this. A suggestion that it has been leaked to the West Coast media mates of Gordon Smith. (From Jim spence btw)

They are always unhappy until the compo BACS goes in

unhappy but permission granted to speak to him according to BBC Scotland.

Video interview of him this afternoon before he met the chairman here

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8417736.stm

Tricky to know whether he is the only person on the shortlist or whether he is 1 of 5 or more on the shortlist.

What did you think of the interview?

Part-time until the end of the season raised as a possibility in the Dundee press.

http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/output/2009/12/17/story14278171t0.shtm

Levein 100% interested in the scotland job.

http://sport.stv.tv/football/145149-craig-levein-is-100-interested-in-scotland-job/

Poor show by percentage terms in football these days. Lorik Cana gives 300% for Sunderland I read

When Levein says that he wants to make sure that he is the right man for the job I suspect he really means the the SFA will need to structure matters and his duties just as he wants. I don't now the personalities but any views? Possible stumbling blocks? Would Levein take to the PR aspect of the job that the SFA have talked of before?

I would like one day for Craig Levien to be Scotland Manager but not at this time. I feel he has more to achieve at club level before taking over the reins of the National Team.
My heart ,head (and yes.. wallet!) says it should be a George Graham or Kenny Dalglish. Older managers seem to be going down well with England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland so why not us.
If Levien is appointed I hope we are not halfway through our Euro 2012 Campaign with a good chance of qualifying when Blackburn come in and offer him a job. Then once again, we will be back to square one.
Then again maybe the SFA are looking at this post from a compensation angle!!!

I think the personality issue is a complex one.

Levein (and Dundee Utd) have had issues with the SFA and the running iof the game. In particular they have had a feeling of West coast (or even specifically Rangers bias). They have had some shocking decisions go against them and complianed very loudly. Levein and Smith also have issues as he released his son from United books. Levein as a pundit also criticised the scheduling of Scotlands WC qualifiers which irked the powers that be.

The SFA hierarchy is very staid and run entirely by committee, hence the shortlisting and interview process. Smith was an agent and then a pundit on Radio Scotland before being appointed but he is answerable to a whole host of committeemen who ultimately hold power in the Scottish game. There are also people in charge of each level of the game (U21 and youths) and that could be another sticking point as these guys also have their champions in the committes.

If I had to call it at the moment, I'd say he'd take it. McCoist is set for Rangers next and I can't see him taking over at Celtic, apparently he turned down Aberdeen in the summer so the Scotland job is his only option imho before he returns to England. Success with Scotland will give him an EPL job.
The rest of the shortlist will only apply if Levein turns it down.

I regret that I am adding much less than you on this market Enresto. I guess that there must be a bit of give and take.

Please keep contributing.

FFS don't worry about that Alex. I'll be taking plenty of your advice in these.

I'd say thanks to the other lads contributing in here too. Makes a change to the usual cack on the main forum.

Interestingly tonight Dundee United have mentioned £500,000 compo for Levein and the Arab messageborad seems resigned to him leaving. I'd say we'll have a yeah or nay next week on Levein.

Might have to have a ramp on a few others first though :D

Gary McAllister anyone ;)

Cack signing in

Can the SFA afford 500k compo?

They could probably employ Hiddinck for a month for that. Or Ricky Sbragia for the rest of eternity

In the Local Aberdeen paper, The Evening Express, Levien said he was "100% interested" in the job. However he wanted more than "to just pick the team". Basically he wants the same conditions as Strachan asked for when Strachan was overlooked for Walter Smith.
If it's all about blazers, committee men and self interested eejits with their nose in the trough then I cannot see Levien getting the job. On one hand I would be pleased (financially!!) however the likes of the candidates I support (Dalglish, Graham and Sir Alex Ferguson) I believe would want the same conditions. If they all get knocked back we could end up with Mr Cuthbert who trains the Torry Under- 12's twice a week as the next Scotland Manager.
At least the compensation package would be reasonable. Three sets of football strips and a bag of balls!!!!!!!

Would suit my book Crawford

Looks like the high street has pulled this market altogether.

Who do we think to 5 shortlisted would be?

Couple of unemployed to make up the numbers.

Calderwood, McAllister, Pet Rescue and Scala?

Heaven help us if so. I think we also need Lars Lagerback on the market.

Bit in the local paper Geoff Brown warning off United from making a move for Derek McIness.

Levein just matched up to a little under 3.0. I didn't see what volume was involved.

Ralf Rangnick has not been added yet. An astonishing oversight

Another lay on Levein at 7.00 this morning up to 2.96. I can find no news.

A nicely misleading headline: 'Scottish FA to offer Levein job'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/8424274.stm

Don't think there is any news. there is a bit of chatter about Levein being the media fav but not necessarily the fans choice. He has finished behing Calderwood's Aberdeen in the last 2 years and is currently behing John Hughes at Hibs. Both are seen as figures of fun in Scotland and are also seen as having no chance of getting the job.

A far from comprehensive poll on the TA messageboard shows less support than I would have thought.

Should Craig Levein be appointed Scotland Manager?
Yes [ 35 ] [20.23%]
No [ 94 ] [54.34%]
Undecided [ 44 ] [25.43%]

Total Votes: 173

Be good to see that repeated on SSN. The compensation is apparently a lot less than had been mentioned too.

looks like the endgame within 24 hours

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11794_5792364,00.html

Some decent odds about if he turns it down.

Be glad when this is done. Not a great appointment but in betting terms pretty thin pickings.

This is a classic case of the powers that be having no clue. I do like to see the other British nations qualify but I can guarantee that a pair of glasses won't do the job for Scotland.

Been thin pickings on managers in general. When was the last decent one? Chelsea?

probably was. It's a shame we don't have the sack race and then at least we could have a constant, "In or Out" market. Although I seem to remember some pretty poor liquidity on that.

Looking ahead Liverpool would be the next obvious biggie but it's doubtful if they could afford to sack him. I also don't like the trend of having someone already lined up to take over. Can't make money without a market.

I suspect that we will get a sack race market as soon as Pompey are relegated.

Nearly 1.5K laying Levein.

Significant or someones book balancing?

No compo agreed yet apparently.

Not a done deal according to Radio Scotland.

Think there is a big sticking point re compensation.

Levein did not sound happy. SFA dragging their heels acording to Jim Spence. He says a source at United said he believed the deal could yet fall apart.

Dundee digging their heels in over compensation. (As per SSN)

The reporter still thinks the deal will go through, though.

Don't think they should pay Dundee any compo

United should get it imo

Over a grand being laid again at 1.06

If I thought the deal was falling through, I'd be laying more than a grand at 1.06

Squaring up

Dundee United manager Craig Levein has insisted it is not a done deal whether he will be Scotland boss, but admits the situation will be a lot clearer within hours.

The 45-year-old met with representatives from the Scottish Football Association on Monday night as the governing body searches for George Burley's replacement.

While some believe Levein is all set to take on the new role, the United boss insisted no deal has been done and dusted and he must concentrate on his club duties.

Levein told Sky Sports News: "Well I had a meeting last night with representatives of the SFA which went reasonably well but it was only a meeting that lasted about an hour.

"And since then discussions have been ongoing but I must stress that there hasn't been any deal done and we had a reserve game today and I am preparing the players for Kilmarnock on Saturday."

Asked if it was a fait accompli, he replied: "No it's not, as I say the meeting was fairly positive last night and there are ongoing discussions but I'm the Dundee United manager and I get paid by Dundee United at this moment in time and all my energies therefore should be put towards playing Kilmarnock on Saturday."

He added he had been in football for a long time and he had seen just about every type of scenario there was so the important thing was to focus on his existing job.

"I don't want my mind to stray to other things," said Levein, adding within 24 hours the situation could be done and dusted either way.

"Either (it will) be on or off, one of the two I think," he said. "So as far as I'm concerned as I said to you that the important thing for me is to make sure that I'm preparing properly.

"I would hate to think that I'd let my focus drift off what needs to be done here so I need to make sure that I'm preparing properly for Saturday."

He would not be drawn on what had been discussed in the meeting with the SFA officials, nor the contractual situation.

Asked if he was comfortable that his side of things had been agreed and whether it was simply a case of compensation, he replied: "Do you know something, I haven't really got into that side of things, that's why I employ somebody to take care of that for me.

"So I just let them get on with that and we'll find out in the next few hours or 24 hours or whatever it is, whether it's something that both the SFA and myself can push ahead, but we'll just have to see."

On the BBC news just now. Dundee United chairman not happy and says the SFA have acted disgracefully. Everyone's getting hot under the collar according to Jim Spence and no compo offer has been received.

With the weather as it is in Glasgow they could be in for a long old night..

Anything new this morning chaps?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/8428154.stm

United fuming here. SFA coming across as amateurs here. Why would levein want to work with this lot?

Deal not done yet, compo not paid. (SSN)

Could be weeks while SFA pass round bucket

As a 1.01 layer, I do hope so :-)

Chairman could be piling on as we speak ;-)

COnfirmed by the SFA

http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_fa_news.cfm?page=128&newsCategoryID=6&newsID=5393

All ower.

Pompey next ;-)

Well done chaps.


Good fred. The next one will be here.

[b]Templeton Peck 23 Nov 16:19
In fact a professor of genealogy would be more likely than the names I've listed.[/b]

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/10/01/29/SOCCER_Scotland_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=soccer

A brief snippet:

New national team boss Levein last week announced he intended to compile a comprehensive list of those eligible to play for Scotland either through established bloodline or the recent five-year school rule.

Hmm, it appears they have indeed appointed an expert in genealogy...

It just makes me wonder why they hadn't already done this.

Apparently the clubs in England were resistant to it as they didn't want their players taken away for U21, friendlies etc.

However the agents are very keen as it makes their players worth more as an internationalist even if it is Scotland