Dundee United bring in Levein to revive club fortunes

The former Heart of Midlothian and Leicester City coach Craig Levein was appointed as the manager of the Scottish Premier League strugglers Dundee United yesterday.

Levein signed a two-and-a-half-year contract and replaces the player-manager Craig Brewster, who was axed on Sunday following a dismal time in charge with just two wins from United's last 28 League matches.

"I felt it was in the best interests of the club to move swiftly and appoint an experienced manager without undue delay," the Dundee United chairman Eddie Thompson said.

"Craig Levein not only comes highly recommended, but has a proven track record and an excellent reputation for man management. He also has extensive contacts and these will be important as we look to strengthen the squad in the next transfer window."

Levein, a former Scotland defender, had been manager of the Third Division club Raith Rovers on a non-contract basis after he was sacked by Leicester last season.

United are bottom of the standings with eight points from 12 matches and Levein is their sixth manager in the past four years.

"I fully appreciate the scale of the task before me but I am confident that I can help Dundee United to climb the League," Levein said. "I am under no illusions that there will be an easy quick fix, but I would not have taken the job if I did not believe I could make a difference nor would I have considered coming to Tannadice if I did not believe that there was a determination to succeed within the club.

"The infrastructure is sound, the budget is reasonable, there is a determination to succeed and the playing squad is better than the League position suggests," Levein added.