Dundee United manager Craig Levein has been confirmed as the new Scotland national coach at a Scottish Football Association (SFA) press conference.
Levein, 45, who begins his role with immediate effect, had been the bookies favourite to succeed former boss George Burley, who was sacked last month after failing to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa.
Flanked by SFA chief executive Gordon Smith and President George Peat, Levein was clearly overjoyed at the appointment and said :
"As a proud Scotland fan, it is a dream come true to take charge of the national team.
I very much enjoyed my time at Dundee United, and would like to thank the players, backroom staff, supporters, directors and chairman."
Explaining his decision he also added: "I felt that this was an opportunity that I couldn't pass up.
“I was delighted to put pen to paper today, and now I can't wait to get started, as we prepare for the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign."
As a player Levein represented Scotland 16 times and had a successful club career playing mainly with Hearts. After injury brought an end to his career he moved into management with Cowdenbeath, Hearts, Leicester City, Raith Rovers and latterly with Dundee United where he has transformed the club.
The press conference was delayed due to the bad weather conditions in Scotland but the news had already been leaked days before. However, the Press Conference went a lot more smoothly than Burleys appointment announcement where Gordon Smith needlessly bossed the conference.
Smith was in an ebullient mood saying:
"Craig brings a wealth of experience as a player - including 16 international caps for Scotland - and as a coach.
"He has established a firm reputation as one of the most respected managers in the country and has already expressed his excitement at leading Scotland into the qualification campaign for Euro 2012 and beyond.
"I am sure the players, the Scotland supporters and media will share his ambitions and I urge the whole country to get behind the new manager in the collective aim to return to a major championship finals."
Levein is believed to have signed a 2 and a half year contract with aim to qualify for the 2012 European Championships in Poland/Ukraine. It is widely recognized to be a tough job given the poor playing resources and severe restraints upon the national game.
Dundee United will be compensated around £250,000 from the SFA and Levein’s assistant will take control of the United team for the foreseeable future.
Wednesday, 23 December 2009
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
WHO NEXT FOR SCOTLAND??
WHO NEXT FOR SCOTLAND?
The recent termination of George Burley’s contract brought to an end a largely, disastrous reign.
Under Burley, Scotland only managed four wins out of 13, two of those coming against Iceland. Defeats to Macedonia, Norway and Holland contributed to a hopeless campaign. In addition this there was the Boozegate saga, the self imposed, non-inclusion of Kris Boyd and bewildering team tactics and backroom staff appointments.
Surprisingly, Burley was given an extended a stay of execution from the Scottish Football Association (SFA). But recent defeats against Japan and Wales together with a change in heart from the Tartan Army meant that the end was nigh.
Whoever succeeds Burley will take on the unenviable task of transforming a team and nation that has been in the doldrums for more than a decade. Not since Craig Brown’s tenure as national coach have Scotland qualified for a major tournament. This is a terrible record when history shows that Scotland once qualified for 5 World Cups in a row. Those days are now distant memories and unless the SFA can find the right man Scotland shall fall into International obscurity alike Wales, Hungary or Northern Ireland.
So who next to pick up the poison chalice? The candidates are thin on the ground but as follows:
Craig Levein – The current coach of Dundee United is viewed as the bookies favourite. He is young, articulate and responsible for the transformation of United into a challenging force in the Scottish Premier League again. However, although he suffered in England with Leicester he would probably view the national job as a bridge to another crack at the English Premiership similar in respects to Alex McLeish. This would leave Scotland managerless again. Also doubts remain over his experience. National team jobs are generally viewed as being more suited to the more aged managers.
Jimmy Calderwood – He Is currently unattached from club duties after an acrimonious split from Aberdeen at the end of last season. Calderwood has experience coaching in Holland and successfully brought European football to both Aberdeen and Dunfermilne Athletic. Despite this he is an unfashionable choice lacking the glamour to create any excitement with the Tartan Army.
Jim Jeffries - Veteran Jeffries enjoyed a successful term at Hearts before opting for an ultimately unsuccessful, move to Bradford City. Since then he has been manager of Kilmarnock and has struggledat times to ensure SPL status in trying financial times. Often described as dour and unfriendly he would be unpopular with the fans and media.
John Collins – Former Scotland player and Hall of Famer who enjoyed a glittering playing career with Celtic, Monaco, Everton and Fulham. His first management position at Hibernian ended in resignation due to frustration with financial constraints. He has recently finished a short term with Belgian outfit Charlioux. Favours the European coaching methods with emphasis on fitness above all else, however, Collins is largely untested at any great management level and maybe too young for this post.
Dan Petrescu - The former Chelsea player has applied to the SFA and has recently masterminded Champions League wonders with little known Romanian club Unirea Urzichen. A fresh, foreign approach may be welcomed by the fans but again he lacks experience at national level and only one season in Europe.
Guus Hiddink (brief dalliance with fantasy from author) – The Dutchman is the hired gun of the football world. At successive World Cup Hiddink worked wonders with South Korea and Australia and impressed at short spell at Chelsea. Recent World Cup qualification with Russia was unsuccessful and may be coaxed into a new challenge. On the negative side salary for Hiddink will run into the millions a year and he shall no doubt be unimpressed at the level of players at Scotland’s disposal.
Other rumoured applicants include Marco Van Basten, Lars Lagerback, Stewart Houston (as always) and Gerard Houliier.
The SFA made a major error in not appointing Gordon Strachan after he left Celtic. Strachan is a Scotland hall of famer who played for Aberdeen, Manchester United and Leeds United followed by success at Southampton and Celtic as manager. While the SFA were dithering he accepted a managerial post at Middlesborough.
Walter Smith has intimated he has no desire to return to national helm and Greame Souness is happy to fulfill only media duties. Premiership managers such as David Moyes and Owen Coyle have no desire to leave the World’s top league.
To date there are over 20 candidates for the post and the SFA have reiterated that there is no rush to find a replacement. Opinions vary but it is important that the fans have their voice.
Respected pundit from the BBC Chic Young recently aired his view :
“For me, the only genuine hope of salvation is Walter Smith or Craig Levein but there is much wooing to be done if either is to accept. And the Tartan Army had better stifle the nonsense about Smith being a traitor to the cause because he walked out before.
An outside bet, though, is Billy Stark, who could follow the career path of Andy Roxburgh who succeeded Jock Stein after a highly successful period with the Scotland youth team”.
Opinions are varied but the SFA have time to get the right man. With no games penciled in till March an appointment need only be made before the European Championship draw in February.
The recent termination of George Burley’s contract brought to an end a largely, disastrous reign.
Under Burley, Scotland only managed four wins out of 13, two of those coming against Iceland. Defeats to Macedonia, Norway and Holland contributed to a hopeless campaign. In addition this there was the Boozegate saga, the self imposed, non-inclusion of Kris Boyd and bewildering team tactics and backroom staff appointments.
Surprisingly, Burley was given an extended a stay of execution from the Scottish Football Association (SFA). But recent defeats against Japan and Wales together with a change in heart from the Tartan Army meant that the end was nigh.
Whoever succeeds Burley will take on the unenviable task of transforming a team and nation that has been in the doldrums for more than a decade. Not since Craig Brown’s tenure as national coach have Scotland qualified for a major tournament. This is a terrible record when history shows that Scotland once qualified for 5 World Cups in a row. Those days are now distant memories and unless the SFA can find the right man Scotland shall fall into International obscurity alike Wales, Hungary or Northern Ireland.
So who next to pick up the poison chalice? The candidates are thin on the ground but as follows:
Craig Levein – The current coach of Dundee United is viewed as the bookies favourite. He is young, articulate and responsible for the transformation of United into a challenging force in the Scottish Premier League again. However, although he suffered in England with Leicester he would probably view the national job as a bridge to another crack at the English Premiership similar in respects to Alex McLeish. This would leave Scotland managerless again. Also doubts remain over his experience. National team jobs are generally viewed as being more suited to the more aged managers.
Jimmy Calderwood – He Is currently unattached from club duties after an acrimonious split from Aberdeen at the end of last season. Calderwood has experience coaching in Holland and successfully brought European football to both Aberdeen and Dunfermilne Athletic. Despite this he is an unfashionable choice lacking the glamour to create any excitement with the Tartan Army.
Jim Jeffries - Veteran Jeffries enjoyed a successful term at Hearts before opting for an ultimately unsuccessful, move to Bradford City. Since then he has been manager of Kilmarnock and has struggledat times to ensure SPL status in trying financial times. Often described as dour and unfriendly he would be unpopular with the fans and media.
John Collins – Former Scotland player and Hall of Famer who enjoyed a glittering playing career with Celtic, Monaco, Everton and Fulham. His first management position at Hibernian ended in resignation due to frustration with financial constraints. He has recently finished a short term with Belgian outfit Charlioux. Favours the European coaching methods with emphasis on fitness above all else, however, Collins is largely untested at any great management level and maybe too young for this post.
Dan Petrescu - The former Chelsea player has applied to the SFA and has recently masterminded Champions League wonders with little known Romanian club Unirea Urzichen. A fresh, foreign approach may be welcomed by the fans but again he lacks experience at national level and only one season in Europe.
Guus Hiddink (brief dalliance with fantasy from author) – The Dutchman is the hired gun of the football world. At successive World Cup Hiddink worked wonders with South Korea and Australia and impressed at short spell at Chelsea. Recent World Cup qualification with Russia was unsuccessful and may be coaxed into a new challenge. On the negative side salary for Hiddink will run into the millions a year and he shall no doubt be unimpressed at the level of players at Scotland’s disposal.
Other rumoured applicants include Marco Van Basten, Lars Lagerback, Stewart Houston (as always) and Gerard Houliier.
The SFA made a major error in not appointing Gordon Strachan after he left Celtic. Strachan is a Scotland hall of famer who played for Aberdeen, Manchester United and Leeds United followed by success at Southampton and Celtic as manager. While the SFA were dithering he accepted a managerial post at Middlesborough.
Walter Smith has intimated he has no desire to return to national helm and Greame Souness is happy to fulfill only media duties. Premiership managers such as David Moyes and Owen Coyle have no desire to leave the World’s top league.
To date there are over 20 candidates for the post and the SFA have reiterated that there is no rush to find a replacement. Opinions vary but it is important that the fans have their voice.
Respected pundit from the BBC Chic Young recently aired his view :
“For me, the only genuine hope of salvation is Walter Smith or Craig Levein but there is much wooing to be done if either is to accept. And the Tartan Army had better stifle the nonsense about Smith being a traitor to the cause because he walked out before.
An outside bet, though, is Billy Stark, who could follow the career path of Andy Roxburgh who succeeded Jock Stein after a highly successful period with the Scotland youth team”.
Opinions are varied but the SFA have time to get the right man. With no games penciled in till March an appointment need only be made before the European Championship draw in February.
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
En-ger-land face South Africa re-draw
It was released yesterday by FIFA that England would be subject to a re-draw such was the farcical outcome of last Fridays World Cup draw.
In order to redress the apparent unfairness of the draw and preserve the integrity of the biggest sporting event in the world England shall now face the Shetland Isles, The North Pole and international selection of fictional cartoon characters. FIFA believes that all 3 shall prove to be a sterner test than the first Group C pairings of Algeria, Slovenia and the U, S of A.
International coach of England (who is actually Italian) Fabio Capello or simply Fabio to the bambi eyed English press responded by saying “This is a terrible, tutti frutti, areviderche, without Rooney we are nothing”.
The collective English media also voiced their concerns :
“This is obviously a shameful tactic by Franco-centric football powers to delay the inevitable which is the rightful success of England at South Africa 2010. We the English media would like voice our embarrassment at the apparent pretensions of Brazil, Spain, Holland, Germany, Ivory Coast etc on winning our trophy. We may also mention Alf Ramsay, 1966, They think it’s all over blah, blah, blah”
However, for those who used to such acts of English hubris the pantomime shall roll on for 6 months. The overconfidence shall reach boiling point and spill over when England are routed by a young, talented German side in the second round. A scapegoat shall be found immediately with the finger of blame being thrust in their Italian mangers face. The tabloids shall run faintly, racist headlines and provide photoshopped photo’s of Capello’s head on Pavarotti’s body.
Reports that the nation is really in a state of panic fearing injury to Wayne Rooney will scupper all hopes of success were left unconfirmed yesterday. A central defensive pairing of Terry and Ferdy backed by Calamity James in goals should inspire any team to success also Glen Johnson remembering he is a defender shall be a big help. Despite the midfield consisting of over the hill has-beens and convicted thugs England should easily match the likes of Kaka, Iniesta, Argeoro, Ribery, Benzema and Ronaldo for skill and invention.
Deluded fantasists and blinkered fans alike shall no doubt point to the continued success of the English Premier League as suitable prophecy of national team success failing to recognize that he league is jammed full of Jonny Foreigners.
In order to redress the apparent unfairness of the draw and preserve the integrity of the biggest sporting event in the world England shall now face the Shetland Isles, The North Pole and international selection of fictional cartoon characters. FIFA believes that all 3 shall prove to be a sterner test than the first Group C pairings of Algeria, Slovenia and the U, S of A.
International coach of England (who is actually Italian) Fabio Capello or simply Fabio to the bambi eyed English press responded by saying “This is a terrible, tutti frutti, areviderche, without Rooney we are nothing”.
The collective English media also voiced their concerns :
“This is obviously a shameful tactic by Franco-centric football powers to delay the inevitable which is the rightful success of England at South Africa 2010. We the English media would like voice our embarrassment at the apparent pretensions of Brazil, Spain, Holland, Germany, Ivory Coast etc on winning our trophy. We may also mention Alf Ramsay, 1966, They think it’s all over blah, blah, blah”
However, for those who used to such acts of English hubris the pantomime shall roll on for 6 months. The overconfidence shall reach boiling point and spill over when England are routed by a young, talented German side in the second round. A scapegoat shall be found immediately with the finger of blame being thrust in their Italian mangers face. The tabloids shall run faintly, racist headlines and provide photoshopped photo’s of Capello’s head on Pavarotti’s body.
Reports that the nation is really in a state of panic fearing injury to Wayne Rooney will scupper all hopes of success were left unconfirmed yesterday. A central defensive pairing of Terry and Ferdy backed by Calamity James in goals should inspire any team to success also Glen Johnson remembering he is a defender shall be a big help. Despite the midfield consisting of over the hill has-beens and convicted thugs England should easily match the likes of Kaka, Iniesta, Argeoro, Ribery, Benzema and Ronaldo for skill and invention.
Deluded fantasists and blinkered fans alike shall no doubt point to the continued success of the English Premier League as suitable prophecy of national team success failing to recognize that he league is jammed full of Jonny Foreigners.
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
Sunday, 11 October 2009
More than sport in the ring
For families of the armed or emergency services the prospect of losing a spouse or child is an every day risk but for those with sportsmen or women in their home it is an unimaginable nightmare.
In Boxing however the threat is multiplied 100 fold such is the nature of this physically punishing sport.
In no other sport are competitors subject to such intense physical abuse and beatings to the head and body. The aim of the match is to put your opponent on the canvas or render him incapable to continue. As a result many boxers are left bloodied and bruised with far reaching effects to their health in future years.
A little more than 4 months ago a rising star in Marco Antonio Nazareth,23 had the chance to grab his chance for super stardom. Fighting in his home town of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Nazareth he was pitched against fellow country man and established boxing star Omar Chavez, son of Mexico boxing legend, Hugo Chavez Jnr.
Nazareth was confident, gutsy and cocky in front of his family and friends enjoying a bright start to the fight despite being knocked down in the first round. But as the fight progressed talent and experience told and he was battered and put down again in the fourth. When the referee finally stopped the bout Nazareth was clearly in trouble and was stretchered from the ring to the nearest hospital.
Four days later he died from a brain haemorrhage.
Boxing is no doubt a brutal sport and many including the British Medical Association have called for its banishment as a recognised sport. However, television viewing figures do not lie and millions tune-in for every bout and relish the chance to see two men or women hammer and punish each other.
Undoubtedly for the boxers rewards are great, especially for the few that reach the big paying Las Vegas nights however alike many sports only a select few reach the very top of their profession.
The sport of boxing is littered with tragic tales of old champions left with nothing due to financial incompetence or corruption. Years a physical abuse leave them permanently punch drunk or worse, Muhammad Ali, the greatest ever is now a sad shadow of himself.
Essentially sport is entertainment however no right-minded person wants to view the death of a sportsman live on TV. Unfortunately the Nazareth family now have a visual record of their son and brothers demise.
No other sport can lay claim to providing that.
In Boxing however the threat is multiplied 100 fold such is the nature of this physically punishing sport.
In no other sport are competitors subject to such intense physical abuse and beatings to the head and body. The aim of the match is to put your opponent on the canvas or render him incapable to continue. As a result many boxers are left bloodied and bruised with far reaching effects to their health in future years.
A little more than 4 months ago a rising star in Marco Antonio Nazareth,23 had the chance to grab his chance for super stardom. Fighting in his home town of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Nazareth he was pitched against fellow country man and established boxing star Omar Chavez, son of Mexico boxing legend, Hugo Chavez Jnr.
Nazareth was confident, gutsy and cocky in front of his family and friends enjoying a bright start to the fight despite being knocked down in the first round. But as the fight progressed talent and experience told and he was battered and put down again in the fourth. When the referee finally stopped the bout Nazareth was clearly in trouble and was stretchered from the ring to the nearest hospital.
Four days later he died from a brain haemorrhage.
Boxing is no doubt a brutal sport and many including the British Medical Association have called for its banishment as a recognised sport. However, television viewing figures do not lie and millions tune-in for every bout and relish the chance to see two men or women hammer and punish each other.
Undoubtedly for the boxers rewards are great, especially for the few that reach the big paying Las Vegas nights however alike many sports only a select few reach the very top of their profession.
The sport of boxing is littered with tragic tales of old champions left with nothing due to financial incompetence or corruption. Years a physical abuse leave them permanently punch drunk or worse, Muhammad Ali, the greatest ever is now a sad shadow of himself.
Essentially sport is entertainment however no right-minded person wants to view the death of a sportsman live on TV. Unfortunately the Nazareth family now have a visual record of their son and brothers demise.
No other sport can lay claim to providing that.
Maradona survives, for now
The living soap opera that is Diego Maradona has been granted permission for one more episode.
Yesterday Argentina kept their World Cup qualification hopes alive with a dramatic 2-1 win over Peru. An away win against Uruguay on Wednesday shall ensure a South Africa spot. A loss however coupled with a Columbia win against Chile then they shall be eliminated completely.
Maradona’s tenure has been shambolic at best. A 6-1 humbling to Bolivia and 3-1 home defeat to Brazil were disastrous. His team choices and tactics have been confusing and inconsistent and his out of management antics farcical.
Maradona recently returned from an Italian health clinic, citing stress and health problems. Upon reaching the Italian retreat his ear-rings were seized by tax authorities attempting to recover a 20 million tax bill from his Napoli days. In a previous visit he was relieved of his Rolex watch.
The Argentine press want his head, the fans are disillusioned and the Argentinean Football Association are sharpening their knives (especially in the face off endless Maradona criticism and ravings).
However for many Maradona is a football genius and arguably the greatest player of all time He is treated with god like status back home after his 1986 World Cup winning success and many hope that the Midas touch shall rub off onto the current team.
Despite this he is also viewed as tragic figure, in much the same way as Paul Gascoigne is viewed in the UK. Recent high profile struggles with cocaine, alcohol and his weight have ensured he has graced many tabloid newspapers and magazines. Also in 1994 he was expelled from the World Cup for testing positive for drugs.
It remains to be seen whether Maradona shall be allowed to continue even if Argentina qualify.
Many great players have failed to replicate their playing form in to management success however none have entranced and delighted the public alike Diego.
Yesterday Argentina kept their World Cup qualification hopes alive with a dramatic 2-1 win over Peru. An away win against Uruguay on Wednesday shall ensure a South Africa spot. A loss however coupled with a Columbia win against Chile then they shall be eliminated completely.
Maradona’s tenure has been shambolic at best. A 6-1 humbling to Bolivia and 3-1 home defeat to Brazil were disastrous. His team choices and tactics have been confusing and inconsistent and his out of management antics farcical.
Maradona recently returned from an Italian health clinic, citing stress and health problems. Upon reaching the Italian retreat his ear-rings were seized by tax authorities attempting to recover a 20 million tax bill from his Napoli days. In a previous visit he was relieved of his Rolex watch.
The Argentine press want his head, the fans are disillusioned and the Argentinean Football Association are sharpening their knives (especially in the face off endless Maradona criticism and ravings).
However for many Maradona is a football genius and arguably the greatest player of all time He is treated with god like status back home after his 1986 World Cup winning success and many hope that the Midas touch shall rub off onto the current team.
Despite this he is also viewed as tragic figure, in much the same way as Paul Gascoigne is viewed in the UK. Recent high profile struggles with cocaine, alcohol and his weight have ensured he has graced many tabloid newspapers and magazines. Also in 1994 he was expelled from the World Cup for testing positive for drugs.
It remains to be seen whether Maradona shall be allowed to continue even if Argentina qualify.
Many great players have failed to replicate their playing form in to management success however none have entranced and delighted the public alike Diego.
Many swarm to Azteca
The primed athletes’ stand, hearts exploding with pride as they sing their national anthems. Mentally, they build themselves up a competitive fury, ready for battle, a fight to the death. It seems nothing can stand in their way, that is until mother nature intervenes.
This was the scene before the Mexico vs. El Salvador World Cup Qualifier on Saturday in the Azteca Stadium. The game started normally but as the play reached the Salvadorian goal mouth it was clear the goalkeeper and defenders were in distress.
At first many thought it was the laser pen that some idiot had brought to the game and was shining in the eyes of the visiting team but on closer inspection it was far more.
A swarm of bee’s had descended on the goalmouth and had decided to hang around despite the protestations of the capacity crowd.
At first no-one knew how to handle the visiting bee’s, choosing the usual ploy of racing in circles and swatting the air in blind panic. Various suited officials marched up the to bee’s, as if to scare the insects away but fled like big Jessie’s when then bee’s responded.
Finally, one smart guy got a fire extinguisher and blasted the visitors from there new home. A new swarm congregated on a TV companies microphone but the extinguisher had no effect. So in a act of inspired madness a bucket of water was poured on the insects and the electrical equipment.
It worked.
The swarm disappeared and the game continued with Mexico running out 4-1 winners and ensuring their World Cup qualification, the bee’s must have flew on to the nearest hive.
In aftermath there were rumblings of foul play, that the El Salvadorians had smeared the goalposts with sugar or honey in hope of abandonment but surely only the most ardent conspiracy theorist would suspect this.
In this game it was El Salvador who felt the sting..
This was the scene before the Mexico vs. El Salvador World Cup Qualifier on Saturday in the Azteca Stadium. The game started normally but as the play reached the Salvadorian goal mouth it was clear the goalkeeper and defenders were in distress.
At first many thought it was the laser pen that some idiot had brought to the game and was shining in the eyes of the visiting team but on closer inspection it was far more.
A swarm of bee’s had descended on the goalmouth and had decided to hang around despite the protestations of the capacity crowd.
At first no-one knew how to handle the visiting bee’s, choosing the usual ploy of racing in circles and swatting the air in blind panic. Various suited officials marched up the to bee’s, as if to scare the insects away but fled like big Jessie’s when then bee’s responded.
Finally, one smart guy got a fire extinguisher and blasted the visitors from there new home. A new swarm congregated on a TV companies microphone but the extinguisher had no effect. So in a act of inspired madness a bucket of water was poured on the insects and the electrical equipment.
It worked.
The swarm disappeared and the game continued with Mexico running out 4-1 winners and ensuring their World Cup qualification, the bee’s must have flew on to the nearest hive.
In aftermath there were rumblings of foul play, that the El Salvadorians had smeared the goalposts with sugar or honey in hope of abandonment but surely only the most ardent conspiracy theorist would suspect this.
In this game it was El Salvador who felt the sting..
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