Levein leaves post as Scotland coach

Craig Levein will not be carrying on as Scotland coach, with an annoucement expected before 1800 GMT, BBC Sport understands.

It follows a poor start to the World Cup campaign.

The seven-man Scottish Football Association board met at the end of last week to consider the 48-year-old Fifer’s position.

And the decision comes the day before the squad is scheduled to be announced for next week’s friendly in Luxembourg.

The SFA board had come in for widespread criticism for continuing their deliberations over the weekend about the future of the former Hearts, Leicester City and Dundee United manager.

But Levein had vowed not to resign, while captain Darren Fletcher and other members of the Scotland squad have gone public with their desire for the coach to remain in the post.

Following news of Levein’s departure, Stoke City midfielder Charlie Adam said on Twitter: “Unbelievable. Can’t believe the Scottish papers got what they wanted.”

Levein tried to convince SFA chief executive Stewart Regan and president Campbell Ogilvie that he should remain in post during a meeting early last week.

His contract was due to run until summer 2014, with reports claiming that sacking Levein now could cost the SFA up to £700,000.

Levein, who took over in December 2009, had already been under pressure after Scotland drew their opening Hampden qualifiers against Serbia and Macedonia.

Defeats by Wales and Belgium led to a widespread expectation that he would be removed from his post, with his side sitting bottom of World Cup qualifying Group A.

Scotland have only won three of their 12 competitive matches with the former international defender in charge.

Bookmakers have made former Celtic and Southampton manager Gordon Strachan a clear early favourite to succeed Dunfermline-born Levein.

He is followed by former Scotland manager Alex McLeish, who exited Aston Villa in the summer, and Mark Wotte, the Dutchman brought in by Levein to be SFA performance director.

Scotland have gathered two points from four matches in their World Cup group, with qualification already looking well beyond them.

The Scots travel to face Luxembourg for their friendly on 14 November but do not have another qualifier until hosting Wales on 22 March.