DOUGIE FREEDMAN insists he would welcome the assistance of Hearts director of football Craig Levein if he is given a crack at the Tynecastle hot-seat.
Levein’s role has come under increased scrutiny in recent months, with suggestions that he has an inappropriate say in first-team matters. That has been firmly denied by the capital club.
His position was put under the microscope prior to the Jambos’ 4-1 defeat against Celtic on Saturday, with Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers suggesting interference from above, and recruitment done without his blessing, meant axed boss Ian Cathro was “up against it” from the outset.
However, former Crystal Palace, Bolton and Nottingham Forest boss Freedman is adamant he would welcome the opportunity to be part of the current structure at Tynecastle - and reckons he would thrive alongside Levein.
Putting his name into the frame for the post, the 43-year-old said: “The influence of Craig Levein would encourage me because, although I’m still young, I’m a very experienced coach. To bounce ideas off Craig would be fantastic. It doesn’t bother me at all.
“I’ve been brought up with the English game where the sporting director has pretty much been here the last 10 years - and it’s getting stronger.
“I think it’s up to the coach to go in from the very beginning and ask, what is the detail he (Levein) is looking for in a coach, what is the role and where does my remit start and stop?
“I’ve managed big clubs, developed international players and I think looking at the Hearts job they could do with a few more in their team. They’ve got experience - bought some in over the summer.
“I think they’ve got a very good squad, I think they are playing the correct shape and it suits their personnel right now.
“Maybe there’s been a mix-up between what the players want to do and what the manager wanted to do, but I think I’m experienced and disciplined enough to let them know exactly what we’re going to be doing and who calls the shots on the training ground.”
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