He has been content to work away in the background but do not let Peter Leven’s low profile fool you – his stock at Aberdeen has never been higher.
The one-year anniversary of former interim boss Neil Warnock’s departure from Pittodrie at the end of an ill-fated 34-day spell in charge at the Dons passed last week without the blink of an eye.
Warnock failed to win a single a league game in his short stint before leaving Leven to perform a truly remarkable rescue act in picking up the pieces and guiding the Dons to safety in the Scottish Premiership last season.
Aberdeen were three points above the relegation play-off position and staring into the abyss when Leven replaced Warnock and the interim boss lost his first league game in charge, a 1-0 defeat by Dundee at Dens Park.
He did not lose another as he guided the team to a nine-match unbeaten run to finish best of the rest in the bottom half of the Premiership.
Scottish Cup display emphasised Leven’s impact
He also came agonisingly close to leading the team to the Scottish Cup final with the Dons denied what would have been a stunning result by Celtic in one of the greatest semi-finals in recent memory last season.
Twice the Dons hauled themselves off the floor to equalise in the final minute, both in the regulation 90 and the additional 30 minutes of extra-time.
But fate determined it was the Hoops who progressed thanks to a penalty shoot-out win.
Aberdeen may have come up short at the National Stadium, but the sheer force of will shown by the team in refusing to accept defeat highlighted perfectly the impact Leven had made in such a short space of time.
The coach was rewarded for his sterling efforts by being offered a place on Jimmy Thelin’s backroom staff when the Swede arrived in Scotland last summer, but it has not stopped other clubs from trying to lure him away.
Leven a man in demand
Leven has rejected overtures from St Johnstone and Raith Rovers to remain part of the Dons coaching team already this season.
Since decided to remain at Pittodrie his stock has risen further with Leven taking on a greater role behind the scenes following Emir Bajrami’s shock departure in January to return to Sweden for personal reasons.
It’s testament to Leven’s qualities that Thelin did not seek to replace his trusted lieutenant, Bajrami.
The players certainly recognise the worth of their coach.
Dons players have huge respect for their coach
When the Perth Saints came calling last August Leighton Clarkson stated the players would be ‘gutted’ if Leven left.
Last week, on-loan striker Kevin Nisbet credited Leven’s role behind the scenes in helping him get back to his best in an interview with the club website.
When a striker who has not had his struggles to seek on the injury front in recent years is claiming to be feeling the fittest he has in years and crediting Leven’s role in helping him regain his form, then clearly the Dons coach is doing something right.
That high regard for Leven will no doubt be tested by interested admirers as vacancies inevitably being to arise throughout the country.
For starters, there’s Queen’s Park.
Callum Davidson’s shock departure from the Championship side on Saturday means a search for a third manager of the club this season is underway.
Do not be surprised if Leven is linked with the post – or if other approaches come his way in the weeks and months ahead.
It is no secret Leven’s appetite for being the man in charge has been whetted by his time in the Dons dugout.
His loyalty and ambition have been tested twice since Thelin arrived. Further tests are inevitable.
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