The chance to manage an international football team can often be seen to be a real joy but for some, it can end in a complete nightmare.
On Monday, the Scottish Football Association decided to terminate the contract of beleaguered boss Craig Levein (pictured).
Levein’s position as manager of the Tartan Army looked very uncomfortable after a forgettable start to World Cup qualifying.
Scotland languish bottom of Group A after defeats to Wales and Belgium in October, following home draws with Serbia and FYR Macedonia in September.
No action taken
After the loss in Brussels, there was indication of a quick decision to be made about the future of the former Leicester City and Dundee United boss.
However three weeks passed without any possible change in management, indicating that the SFA took a real dithering process towards the final outcome they have come to.
Dundee United boss Peter Houston was annoyed that it had taken so long to come to a decision about Levein.
He said on Sunday: “If the SFA decide that they want to remove Craig, it shouldn’t take three weeks or so to remove him.
“I think that they’ve let the thing settle, they’ve had discussions but that they’ve had the discussions for a few days, it shouldn’t take that long to make that decision.
“Fair enough, the SFA were wanting to let the whole situation calm down a bit before discussing that but now they have discussed it over two days and I am going with what I am reading and hearing, it shouldn’t be that hard to make that decision.”
Gordon Smith, a former SFA chief executive thought the 48-year-old should go with dignity.
Go with dignity
24 hours before the axe fell on Levein, he commented: “I think the best thing would be for him to resign and take that pressure away from the SFA.
“Being sacked is probably bad for his CV.”
Levein’s record since becoming national team boss in 2009 was not great. The Scots only beat Liechtenstein and Lithuania in competitive qualification games and the dreams of reaching Brazil 2014 are now no more than a distant memory.
The current Scottish squad isn’t the worst collection of players put together either.
Goalkeeper Allan McGregor plays for Besiktas, Darren Fletcher is returning to full fitness while Charlie Adam is re-establishing himself at Stoke after a difficult season at Liverpool.
Steven Fletcher seems to be back in the international reckoning and with the likes of Jordan Rhodes, Craig Mackail-Smith, Ross McCormack and Matt Phillips in the reckoning; there is plenty of quality upfront.
Gordon Strachan is favourite to take over, with former national boss Alex McLeish insisting on Tuesday that he is only interested in returning to club management.
Other names mentioned in recent days include recently sacked Bolton boss Owen Coyle, Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish and former Scottish international Joe Jordan.
The SFA took too long in making this decision. With a side in disarray and the supporters struggling to believe if the good times will ever return, whoever takes over will have a big job on their hands.
By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
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