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24 September 2014

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Leicester City

Could Levein turn City around?

City appoint Levein

Leicester City unveil Craig Levein as its new manager - have your say on his appointment.

Leicester City have announced the former Hearts head coach Craig Levein as their new manager. Earlier on Friday, the two clubs came to an agreement over compensation for the 40-year-old's services.

He has signed a two-and-a-half year contract and will take in the game against Cardiff on Saturday. "There is only one reason for my decision and it is my ambition to manage in England and get into the Premiership," he said.

"It was hard to say goodbye to some good friends and people I enjoyed working with immensely, and particularly the players who gave me the opportunity to join such a fantastic club as Leicester.

"For a year or so now I've been looking, and I realised to get to the English Premiership, where I wanted to be, it would be difficult to do that from a provincial club, which Hearts are.

"I've been looking for a club with the same ambition as I have, and the recent history of Leicester would dictate that they are a Premiership club. I'm very confident that we match each other's ambition and we can move forward together."

"I'm very confident that we match each other's ambition and we can move forward together."

Craig Levein

Levein stressed that instant success was not something he could promise the club's supporters. "I want to bring in players that supporters can identify with, to improve and continually try to make Leicester a force to be reckoned with," he added.

"It will take a few weeks, maybe a few months to get a handle on things. Leicester supporters can judge me from what they see on the field. If we get improvement from the players we've got and the players we get in then I'll be happy.

"All I've tried to do in my two previous clubs is to improve the side, that improvement at Hearts was year on year and we managed to turn Hearts into a successful club - and I want to do the same with Leicester."

Levein confirmed Peter Houston, his number two at Hearts, will be part of his management team at Leicester although he is looking to employ staff with knowledge of English football.

"Obviously I know a fair bit about the English first division (Coca-Cola Championship) but not as much as someone who works here on a regular basis," added Levein.

"My assistant manager will be someone with knowledge of English football in general, I think that it's important that I recognise, as much as I know about the English game, there are people who know a lot more than me.

"So that will happen, but I'm confident in my own knowledge of football and there isn't an enormous difference in the style of football from Scotland and England. And I'm confident that I can do the job."

last updated: 30/10/04

Have Your Say

Will Levein turn things around?

Bryn Richardson
I live in Scotland - Craig will turn city round within two years.

pete
most def , things can only get better , crikey i think i might be able to write a song !

Bob
Best of luck....

John Sutton, Geelong, Australia
Levein appears to be a fine capture. No doubt the new stadium convinced him that City are a club of stature and ambition. Unlike his two most recent predecessors, he has experience, a track record of success, and intelligence - judging by his refreshingly sensible comments after all the hogwash of recent years. Unlike the last two Scots who left top Scottish clubs to manage City - Jock Wallace and David Halliday -Levein could really guide the club to significant success.

John G
A young, ambitious manager who will want to bring new ideas and methods - excellent.It is likely he will have sought and obtained backing from the board for potential new players so I believe the future prospects are improved.His ambition to be a premiership manager can be met here at Walkers Stadium - Good luck to him!

Simon Hollis
Great signing! I'm now very optimistic for the future. Whether it was Martin O'Neil's and/or the boards' decision - he is a very shrewd choice! They have certainly done their homework.

craig lyall
As a Hearts fan im so sorry to see him go.I can assure you,he will prove himself,and your team will have success.Many people think there is a poor standard of football in Scotland,,,well,Mr Levein,will turn things around for you,as has many other Scottish managers in England. Craig Lyall

bluermefox
There You Go - a younger Jock Wallace - I said it months ago - Scottish Grit & Determination its just the Tonic CITY Needed!!

Jim G
all the best Criag, we'll miss you - a lot!!!

Posset
If Martin O'Neill thinks he's the right man for us then that's good enough for me.

Stewar from Old dalby
A supprise choice, not one of the obvious one's ,looks like a good one none the less, well done to whoever sugested him and well done to the club to get Craig Levein so quickly

Mike Dean
Lets get behind the guy and hope for a return to the premiership

George Foulkes
Always had Hearts playing for the full 90 minutes but had a fair amount of thugs in his team. Can't help thinking that he is no better than what you've had in the last 5 or 6 years.

Doug
He will not have his heart in Leicester and should have stayed in Edinburgh

Chris ..................................Ha Ha`
yes

Lee c
Wrong chioce of manager, rushed into a decision not even interviewed a majority of the better applicants.

terry gould
yes i beleive he will he looks a strong disiplined character who wiil bring out the best in the squad we have

John Chesterton
Yes - Great News - Well done City Board for an excellent appointment. Fans please give Craig some time

Dave Limmer
Its a good choice. He's made Hearts a force in Scotland. Hopefully he can repeat Bobby Williamson's success at Plymouth

Matt
Hope so!

Shamir
He sounds the part, let's hope so!