Dundee United are set to offer Craig Levein a free rein to return to Tannadice in a bid to save the season.
Under-fire United chiefs held crisis talks in the wake of Sunday night’s sacking of Liam Fox after just 22 games in permanent charge and the side marooned at the foot of the Premiership. And it’s former manager Levein who has shot to the top of the wish list as the man they need to stage a rescue mission in the fight to beat the drop.
The 58-year-old spent three-and-half successful years at Tannadice until Scotland came calling in 2009, where he rebuilt the structure of the club on and off the pitch and laid the foundations for triumphs such as the 2010 Scottish Cup win. Levein has not been in the dugout since leaving Hearts in 2019 after taking charge following Ian Cathro’s departure where he combined the gaffer gig with his director of football role. The ex-Leicester City boss has been operating as an adviser for Highland League Brechin City while also working as a pundit.
He’s been lukewarm on talk of a return to the dugout but it is understood United owner Mark Ogren and director of football Tony Asghar are seriously considering sending out a SOS to the experienced manager. The club’s powerbroker are weighing up their options but understand time is running out in the battle to beat the drop to the Championship.
And it’s believed they would be willing to give Levein full control as they look to sort out problems on and off the field. Levein performed a similar role in his last spell at the club when he had a major say in revamping the United structure behind the scenes, including transfer policy and the youth set up.
Along with right-hand man Houston, they eventually managed to bring through top talents such as Ryan Gauld, Stuart Armstrong, Johnny Russell and John Souttar. Levein also made sweeping changes when he returned to Hearts following his Scotland stint and is seen as a man who could pull off a short term fix while also addressing wider issues in the long-term.
The Jambos legend has yet to receive a formal approach but is understood to be willing to consider a stunning return – despite being critical of the United board at times this season in his radio role. Levein called for stability in the Tannadice dugout earlier this season when Jack Ross was bulleted after just seven games in charge and with Fox’s departure they have now clocked up 11 gaffers in just 11 years and are in the hunt for their sixth since 2018.
Robbie Neilson, Micky Mellon, Tam Courts, Ross and now Fox have all been and gone and Levein admitted the constant chopping was damaging his former club. Speaking last September, he said: “There has been a bit of turmoil in recent years, in terms of the managerial situation, with Robbie, Micky, Tam and Jack moving on so quickly.
“Stability is paramount to the success of a football club in the long-term and, for whatever reason, there has been so much shuffling of the pack. If you stop to consider it, it’s madness.”
