'Thelin an appointment of imagination & ambition'published at 14:17 16 April
14:17 16 April
Gary Scott Fan writer
Finally. It's only taken 77 days since Barry Robson's tenure was cut short and a mere 39 days since Neil Warnock exited stage right, but Aberdeen have now landed their man in the form of 46-year old Swede Jimmy Thelin, who will arrive in June.
Credit where it's due to Dave Cormack and the Aberdeen board for pulling out all the stops to land the highly-rated Thelin - it's a move that excite the majority of Dons fans for what the future holds.
This is certainly an appointment of imagination and ambition but that will require to be matched by the powers that be when it comes to player recruitment this summer.
A cursory look at the way Thelin's Elfsborg side have been set up clearly doesn't match with the make-up of the current Aberdeen squad and so it looks like another close season of transition awaits.
Thelin becomes the 26th individual bestowed with the permanent role at Pittodrie and the task couldn't be much tougher.
A four-month purple patch under Barry Robson aside, the Dons have slumped miserably on the field since Cormack took over and Thelin becomes the fitth appointment in that timeframe.
Thelin's history at Elfsborg tells us that Aberdeen fans shouldn't expect miracles early in his tenure - his side was built over a period of time and he will require a level of patience from a support starved of meaningful success.
The 0-0 draw with Dundee on Saturday capped off a miserable regular season in the Premiership which has seen Aberdeen pick up only four home wins.
Thelin will be an avid onlooker as Peter Leven takes the side to the end of the campaign and seeks to ensure, swiftly, there is absolutely no danger of Aberdeen being dragged into the dreaded play-off spot.
Before that, there's the small matter of a Scottish Cup semi-final to look forward to on Saturday lunchtime against holders Celtic.
Aberdeen are rank outsiders and it's not hard to see why, but the cup is all about shocks and having been on the receiving end of a few in recent memory, perhaps it's our time to spring a surprise and secure a return to Hampden in May.
Perhaps a certain Swede might make himself available a touch earlier than planned if that was the case...
Thelin arrival can be 'something special' - Cormack published at 13:34 16 April
13:34 16 April
Image source, SNS
Dave Cormack says Aberdeen had to be "patient" to secure the services of Jimmy Thelin, but hopes the Swede's appointment can create "something special".
The Pittodrie club endured a lengthy recruitment process to land the Elfsborg coach, eventually ironing out a deal that sees the 46-year-old take charge in June on a three-year contract.
Chairman Cormack admits the negotiations were far from easy, but believes Thelin's arrival can "anchor" Aberdeen after years of managerial instability.
“We are delighted to be welcoming Jimmy to Pittodrie this summer,” he said in a club statement.
“The extensive process we ran allowed us to speak with several excellent candidates from both the UK and abroad.
"As the process evolved, we were determined to land Jimmy and were prepared to be patient. Elfsborg certainly didn’t make it easy for us, which tells you how highly they think of his six-year tenure.
“The board felt that Jimmy’s style and playing philosophy, his ability to continually develop excellent players within a successful player trading model and his experience at taking a team and having them compete at the top end of the table all really matched the criteria we had set out at the start.
“He has a reputation in Sweden as a team builder; someone who will methodically construct a winning side over time.
"From our point of view, we want this appointment to anchor the club for years to come, and to work with Jimmy and his coaching staff to create something special at Aberdeen. That will take time, we understand that.”
'I wanted to make sure I was making the right step in my career'published at 13:21 16 April
13:21 16 April
Image source, Getty
Jimmy Thelin says he is "honoured" to be appointed Aberdeen manager and will strive to build a successful team that "captures the hearts of the supporters".
The Swede, 46, will leave Elfsborg in his homeland in early June to take the reins at Pittodrie on a contract until summer 2027, with Peter Leven remaining in caretaker charge for the remainder of this season.
“I wanted to be sure I was making the right step in my career, particularly as this will be my first time managing outside of Sweden," said Thelin.
"At Elfsborg we work hard together to compete at the top level and it is our intention to achieve the same at Aberdeen.
“The feeling I have about what I have seen at the club, the staff and the facilities was all very impressive. The vision, effort and support offered by Dave [Cormack], Alan [Burrows] and Steven [Gunn] have also convinced me it is a great opportunity for me and the club.
“I can promise the fans we will be striving to build and a develop a team that captures the hearts of the supporters and delivers success on the pitch.
“I’m looking forward to working with Peter and the players and I hope they get the win at Hampden this weekend.”
Elfsborg get Thelin replacement - gossippublished at 08:32 16 April
08:32 16 April
Elfsborg have called a media conference on Tuesday lunchtime to discuss their managerial position. (Elfsborg on X)
Thelin would only say "we'll see what the future holds" when asked about his future after Elfsborg were defeated by Hammarby. (Daily Record)
Aberdeen interim boss Peter Leven has warned Dons players they are fighting for their Pittodrie futures as the new manager will be watching their performances. (Press & Journal)
'Lack of clarity taking its toll on Aberdeen'published at 14:41 15 April
14:41 15 April
Media caption,
Richard Foster talks to the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast about Aberdeen's lack of managerial certainty.
Listen to Scottish Football Podcastpublished at 10:07 15 April
10:07 15 April
Pat Nevin and Richard Foster join Liam McLeod to pick over the bones of another incredible weekend of Scottish football drama.
They look back on Ross County’s historic victory over Rangers and discuss what impact it could have at both ends of the table.
They also assess the jobs done by Tony Docherty and Nick Montgomery as Dundee secure their place in the top 6 at the expense of Hibs and Motherwell.
Listen to today's episode of the Scottish Football Podcast here.
MacDonald pins hopes on cup - gossippublished at 08:51 15 April
08:51 15 April
Defender Angus MacDonald believes Aberdeen can pull off a shock against Celtic in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup and turn the Dons' season around. (Press & Journal)
Leven to discuss Aberdeen future at start of weekpublished at 19:43 14 April
19:43 14 April
Image source, SNS
Interim Aberdeen manager Peter Leven will discuss his future at the club in the next few days, with an announcement on their new manager allegedly imminent.
“We’ll sit down with the club on Monday and Tuesday and go from there," Leven said, refusing to be drawn on any other speculation around the future appointment.
In the meantime, he has to prepare the Dons for a Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic next Saturday - a fixture he is expected to be in charge for.
“Any time you play the Old Firm you’ve got to keep it tight at the back," he added. "We’ll work on it this week, go through the game from today and prepare for Celtic.
“The pressure is always on us – we’re Aberdeen. We’ve got to go there and believe we’re going to win. That’s the message I’m going to give, and the players will believe in it.”
Highlights: Aberdeen 0-0 Dundeepublished at 18:27 14 April
18:27 14 April
Media caption,
Highlights from Pittodrie as Dundee secure a top-six place against Aberdeen
'Inability to do the basics'published at 16:42 14 April
16:42 14 April
We asked for your thoughts after Aberdeen played out a goalless draw with Dundee pm Saturday.
Here's a taste of what you had to say:
Fred: A poor overall performance fitting of a team in the bottom six. No bite in attack but at least the defence was solid. A healthy attendance but the fans deserve more. Another major player clear-out is needed if we have any hope of top six next season. So few of the current squad are good enough.
William: Got into some good positions in the first half but the players' inability to do the basics let them down. We’ve blown a big budget on players that are incapable of reaching the levels we’re aiming for. The incoming manager has a big job just to get us into the top half next season.
Allan: The usual huffing and puffing with no end result. I am also so fed up with Shinnie. We need a new skipper who leads by example. I fear for Saturday.
Andrew: Sometimes in football, as in life, you end up exactly where you deserve to be. Yet again we failed to turn up in the second half. Such inconsistencies in our play is why we are ninth and Dundee are sixth. One-off games in the cup and Europe have been the only highlight of a long & underwhelming season. Maybe Miovski can fire us to another final.
Dons target Thelin an 'inspiration' - gossippublished at 08:48 14 April
08:48 14 April
Malmo head coach Henrik Rydstrom has revealed that Aberdeen managerial frontrunner Jimmy Thelin has been inspiring coaches for years after performing "miracles" with Elfsborg. (Sunday Mail, external)
Aberdeen 0-0 Dundee: Have your saypublished at 18:07 13 April
18:07 13 April
Were you at Pittodrie, or did you watch the game from home? Did anyone impress you from Aberdeen's showing against Dundee? Or do you just want the end of the season now?
Aberdeen 0-0 Dundee: What the manager saidpublished at 18:02 13 April
18:02 13 April
Image source, SNS
Aberdeen interim manager Peter Leven tells BBC Sportsound: "The biggest game of two halves I've ever seen. Started really well, on the front foot. But I turned round to the bench and said 'we need to score when we're on top here'.
"Really happy with the first half, just needed to score. They went after in the second half, we couldn't get out and needed more composure. Really disappointed with the second half.
"We should be up there in the top six, challenging for Europe. We're hurting right now, but it's a good clean sheet. If you can't win, don't lose it.
[On whether he knows what his future is] "Not yet. That will be clearer early next week. I've said if they need me, I'll step up. I've loved my time here. We'll have that discussion."
Aberdeen 0-0 Dundee: Analysispublished at 17:59 13 April
17:59 13 April
Andrew Petrie, BBC Sport Scotland
Aberdeen got a glimpse of what could have been for so much of this season in the first half.
That's because Duk was back to his old self. He got three Dundee players booked as he pushed, shoved, and danced his way through the defence.
But no one else was on his wave length. Maybe that's because of his much-reduced role this season, as he's struggled with inconsistency and selection issues.
He sums Aberdeen up at the moment. A clearly impressive footballer, who looked good for 45 minutes and went missing for another 45. The end of the season can't come quick enough.
Aberdeen 'still have a lot to play for' says Clarksonpublished at 12:05 13 April
12:05 13 April
Leighton Clarkson says Aberdeen "still have a lot to play for" as they prepare to face Dundee.
The Dons lost 1-0 last time out and Clarkson is hopeful his side can make up for that performance on Saturday.
"I know last time we played them it was probably one of our worst performances of the season," he said.
"We know we want to win and we know how we want to do it.
It's not gone well this season we can all agree on that but we have got Pete [Leven] here who is doing everything he can behind the scenes.
"We have just got to perform and get wins under our belts.
"It would mean everything, we have still got a lot to play for. We know what our targets are, we have still got the semi-final but we are all just focused on the next game."
Image source, SNS
VAR getting worse - Clarksonpublished at 09:45 13 April
09:45 13 April
VAR is getting worse with every game and should be scrapped, says Aberdeen midfielder Leighton Clarkson. (Press & Journal, external, subscription required)
Aberdeen v Dundee: Team newspublished at 19:27 12 April
19:27 12 April
Aberdeen defender Slobodan Rubezic has returned to full training and could be in contention for next week’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic. Otherwise, Dons interim boss Peter Leven has no injury concerns.
Dundee have Curtis Main, Josh Mulligan and Ryan Howley back in contention with only Owen Beck (groin) and Diego Pineda (thigh) out.
Image source, SNS
