Craig Levein has parted ways with St. Johnstone, a move that comes as a surprise after he helped the club avoid relegation last season. Levein, who took the managerial role in November last year, has a storied history in football, including a stint at Leicester City from October 29, 2004, to January 25, 2006.
At 59, turning 60 in October, Levein has had a diverse career, moving through various levels of football. Prior to joining St. Johnstone, he was an advisor at Brechin. His connection to Hearts is particularly significant, having spent 14 years as a player there from 1983 to 1997, amassing 326 league appearances.
Levein has managed Hearts twice—first from 2000 to 2004, and again from 2017 to 2019. His managerial journey has also included stints at Cowdenbeath, Dundee United, Raith Rovers, and the Scotland national team, where he served as head coach from 2009 to 2012. His long career has certainly seen its fair share of ups and downs.
Two former Leicester players, Callum Davidson and Robbie Neilson, are also worth noting in the world of football management. Davidson, who previously managed St. Johnstone, is now at Queens Park. Interestingly, Sir Alex Ferguson began his playing career at this historic club, which, despite being a lower-tier Scottish team, only gained professional status in November 2019. Ferguson also moved from Queens Park to St. Johnstone early in his career, creating an interesting parallel with Davidson’s journey.
Robbie Neilson, who played for Leicester from 2009 to 2011, has also built a managerial career, taking charge of Hearts during periods between Levein’s tenures. His career has included spells at MK Dons, Dundee United, and most recently, the Tampa Bay Rowdies in 2023, a club competing in the USL Championship, the tier below Major League Soccer (MLS). This club has a rich history, emerging as a phoenix club from the NASL team of the 70s and 80s. Former Leicester winger Stuart Campbell also both played for and managed the Rowdies, linking back to those early days when Len Glover, another Leicester legend, was part of the original club.
Craig Levein’s career has been one of notable achievements and unexpected turns, and his departure from St. Johnstone adds yet another chapter to his footballing story.
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