Aberdeen

Aberdeen will consider Scottish former Huddersfield Town boss Mark Fotheringham as they search for a new manager. (Sun), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip

Aberdeen will take on holders Celtic at Hampden in the Scottish Cup semi-finals after the draw was made live on BBC Scotland on Monday night.

Aberdeen defeated Kilmarnock 3-1 on Saturday in what proved to be Neil Warnock's final game in charge, while Celtic saw off Livingston 4-2 the next again day.

Former Dons goalkeeper Jim Leighton conducted the draw, and the tie will take place the weekend of 20 April.

Aberdeen are looking to lift the trophy for an eighth time and first since 1990, while Brendan Rodgers' side are searching for a record-extending 42nd triumph in the competition.

Aberdeen are managerless once more, with first team coach Peter Leven taking charge for their game against Dundee on Wednesday after Neil Warnock's departure.

Should he make any changes to the team that beat Kilmarnock to progress to the Scottish Cup semi-finals?

Tell us your preferred XI here.

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Aberdeen are "massively underachieving" and are "in free fall", according to former Rangers and Hibs midfielder Kevin Thomson.

Neil Warnock departed the club after just 33 days in charge after leading the Dons to a Scottish Cup quarter-final victory over Kilmarnock - but the 75-year-old did not register a league win in six attempts.

"Chaotic is a compliment," Thomson told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast. "A team that played in Europe at the start of the season, a team that's already been to a cup final, sacked the manager.

"I think they're in free fall. I think the Neil Warnock appointment was really short-sighted. I think it was a mockery really.

"I've got a bit more respect for Neil Warnock, massive respect, but I just think it was really amateur really, I think, for Aberdeen to do what they've done. In my opinion, they're now paying the price.

"They are in a serious relegation battle, four points above Ross County and in free fall. They struggle to win a game, struggle to find any style.

"[Aberdeen are] a wonderful club with a brilliant budget, a brilliant fan base, with brilliant resources, with their own academy, that produce young players with a brilliant new training facility - they're massively underachieving for me."

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With news that Aberdeen are conducting managerial interviews this week, attention turns to who could take over, and who could fix the ongoing issues at Pittodrie.

The Athletic writer and Aberdeen fan JJ Bull reckons the Dons should take a creative route, and go for someone in German or Austrian football who excels with "out of possession coaching" - which he believes could give the side an advantage in Scottish football.

"I think there's two ways they could go with this," Bull said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast. "I think one is to go for what you know works in Scottish football, which tends to be a good man-manager - nothing too fancy.

"Someone like Derek McInnes - that sort of manager, hard to break down, not hugely exciting but if you get good players in and choose the right ones, it kind of works.

"The other way they could go off the back of this German consultancy firm would be looking at someone in German or Austrian football.

"The players Aberdeen can bring in, I think they struggle to get players who are really good technically on the ball. You can get some good ones now and again, but they get pinched straight away.

"So, if you can't get the best players on the ball, the best thing probably is to look for a coach or manager who really excels out of possession - things you see in German football, and especially in Austrian.

"If you're really, really good out of possession and you can play with hybrid pressing, which all the elite teams are doing at the moment, then that would be the way I think you can gain an advantage in Scotland.

"But then you have to go for someone who's probably young and upcoming who will leave at any time because they'll get more money and a bigger offer somewhere else, but it's quite a good job. A manager on the up who has proved themselves to be very handy out of possession coaching is what I'd want."

Captain Graeme Shinnie knew of Warnock's intention to exit before Saturday's 3-1 Scottish Cup win over Kilmarnock as the majority of his team-mates were kept in the dark about the impending news. (Herald - subscription required), external

Shinnie urges Aberdeen to appoint a new manager to bring stability to the club. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip

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Aberdeen are to hold interviews for their new manager this week, with an aim to make an appointment during the upcoming international break after Neil Warnock departed the club at the weekend.

Chief executive Alan Burrows says the club have made a shortlist of candidates and for the interviews will "seek permission" to speak to managers under contract elsewhere.

The announcement comes with an update on the external view of the club headed by Bernhard Peters, with an appointment of a new technical director among the list of changes.

“The club, working with our partners, have compiled a shortlist with a combination of individuals we have identified that meet the key criteria we have agreed, and individuals that have expressed serious interest in the role," Burrows said.

“We plan to conduct a number of interviews this week and, in certain cases, seek permission to do so where managers are under contract elsewhere.

“Our aim is to appoint a first team manager during the upcoming international break. In the meantime, Peter Leven will continue in interim charge, assisted by Scott Anderson and Craig Samson.”

"We are extremely pleased that [the BPTC] report has validated a lot of very good policy, practice, and robust processes already in place within the club’s academy and wider football department.

“They have also identified several key areas of opportunity that would substantially enhance our current set up and are now working with us on the next phase which will [include the following[, amongst other things.

"Implement certain structural changes within our football set up, implement new and additional policy, practices, and processes that will further strengthen all levels of player training and development, player pathway, scouting and recruitment and football performance, and assist in the recruitment of a new first team manager and the addition of a new technical director to support the director of football."

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Neil Warnock's reign at Aberdeen came to an end just 32 days after taking charge.

His side did not struggle to find the back of the net, with 12 goals in eight games, but conceded 14 during that period.

Up until the quarter-final win against Kilmarnock, the 75-year-old had only managed one win, against Bonnyrigg Rose in the previous round of the cup, with four losses and two draws in the league.

The Dons have now gone 10 games in the league without a win including Warnock's six Premiership games in charge

Peter Leven resumes caretaker charge with the side third-bottom of the league - four points clear of Ross County.

Former Huddersfield Town manager Mark Fotheringham says the previous three Aberdeen bosses before Neil Warnock, who left the Scottish Premiership club on Saturday, did not have "CVs comparable to mine" as he eyes an appointment in his homeland. (Sunday Mail), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Former Aberdeen captain & manager Willie Miller: "It's hard to believe that this is happening. It's a nightmare situation. You appoint a manager for a short period of time and he's walked away from the job.

"The performances have been poor but they have been improving. You're into the semi-finals, so I just wonder what has gone on."

Former Scotland midfielder Michael Stewart: "It's a shambles. If he's been punted, what does that say about the guys that put him in interim charge until the end of the season that they've already had enough of him?

"They have already gotten rid of three managers since Derek McInnes left and now they have got rid of an interim.

"It's a terrible look for Aberdeen. This will cast even more doubt over people who wanted the job. It will plant serious doubts in their mind."

BBC Sport Scotland's Tyrone Smith at Pittodrie

Warnock swept in at the start of last month - a box office big name brought in to steady the ship. Instead of doing that, he has been unable to prevent it from heading towards choppy waters.

From this side of the fence, it was a good appointment. Warnock delivered fantastic headlines for my colleagues and I.

Prior to his arrival, I had built up my own idea of what he would be like to deal, with having seen and heard so much from him over the course of his lengthy career.

I was wrong. He was charming, witty, really down to earth, and really straight to the point - perhaps too much so for the players' liking.

He was forthright in his views, and during his short time in the Granite City, he certainly didn't hold back in his assessment of the squad he had taken on, and particularly the deficiencies he felt there were within it.

For all of that, it is a results business. Yes, he leaves having guided Aberdeen in to a cup semi final, but his overall body of work in the north east doesn't make great viewing.

He departs without a league win to his name and with the team seemingly set for a relegation battle between now and the end of the season.

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We asked for your thoughts after Neil Warnock stepped down as interim manager following Aberdeen's 3-1 Scottish Cup quarter-final victory over Kilmarnock at Pittodrie.

Here's what you had to say:

Colin: This is getting beyond parody.

Barry: Instead of celebrating a cup win and heading off to Hampden, we have become the laughing stock of not only Scottish football but British football.

Stephen: The timing couldn't be worse. Looked like he found a good balance today, played well in large spells too, then this happens. I fear something bad is going on behind the scenes, I just hope we can survive relegation.

Calum: Fifth manager in three years, Cormack has to start taking responsibility. A shambles and an embarrassment. You have to wonder what Derek McInnes would have done with the backing afforded to Stephen Glass & Barry Robson.

Mattie: I’m glad he’s out of the club, we have important games coming up. We deserve someone that is fully committed and the pressure is now back to the Aberdeen board to make sure the next appointment is a good choice. We proved today we can win games.

Jamie: Bizarre timing, which makes you assume a new man has already signed on. Hope it isn't Lennon.

Sandy: Derek McInnes is in the building. Lock the doors and don't let him leave.

Robin: Warnock isn't the story, it's Cormack. He isn't fit to run our football club, he doesn't have the knowledge or experience. His arrogance in trying to control every aspect of the club is breathtaking. It started with the ludicrous appointment of Stephen Glass and it's gone downhill from there. He has made Aberdeen a laughing stock.

John: Totally disgusted at Cormack and the Aberdeen board. Shame on you all. Do all Aberdeen fans a favour and sell the club. Totally clueless and out your depth. Go now!

Graeme: I never wanted Warnock, but despite a poor run of league results you could see an improvement. It’s quite the shock that he’s stood down, but the real question is why? And who’s in the frame to take over? Hampden again though. Yes!

Where to even start, Dons fans...

We want to hear from you following Neil Warnock's extraordinary exit. Let us know your thoughts here.

Former Aberdeen interim manager Neil Warnock has said it was the 'right time' to leave the club despite leading them to the Scottish Cup semi-final earlier this afternoon.

"I only came up to help Dave and Alan out and try and steady the ship," he told BBC Scotland.

"Unfortunately we haven't got the right results in the league.

"They're well on their way to getting a new manager. I've been telling them they have to push forward now. I though it was the right time.

"We decided in midweek that today was going to be the day. I'm glad I left on a high because the lads were fantastic today. I was quite proud of them."

"I've told them they need to get a manager in to look at the squad because I think it needs quite an overhaul in the summer.

"If anything, I've contributed to making them realise and get a move on. They're very close down the line to get someone in now.

"I've met some great people. I'm just glad I got to a semi-final so the fans have something to look forward to. There's some keyboard warriors, but that's everywhere."

"I wanted to come up here and it has been a bit of a eye opener for me. I wish I had been here a year and had a couple of transfer windows."

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Nick McPheat, BBC Sport Scotland

It sounds simple, but just seeing that level of fight and application will be so reassuring for the Aberdeen fans, who now know this team is capable of turning it on against top-flight opposition.

After the way they collapsed in Paisley last weekend, it was a huge test of character for the hosts when Armstrong pulled one back, but they stood up to that test impeccably. In fact, if anything, they improved after the setback.

It is now imperative that Aberdeen transfer this level of performance to their league outings.

Aberdeen have announced that interim manager Neil Warnock has stepped aside following this afternoon's Scottish Cup quarter-final victory over Kilmarnock.

Chairman Dave Cormack has said in a club statement, external released by the club: “The Club would like to thank both Neil and Ronnie Jepson for their efforts.

“With the search for a new manager at an advanced stage, Peter Leven will assume control of all first team matters until the process is concluded.”

The 75-year-old leaves the club after just over a month in charge. His Aberdeen side failed to win in six Premiership games under Warnock's charge but have reached the Scottish Cup semi-final following today's home win.

In the statement, Warnock added: “I was honoured to lead Aberdeen for a short period to help Dave and the Board get themselves into a position where they could get closer to making a permanent appointment.

“It goes without saying that I had hoped I could’ve collected a few more league wins along the way, but I am also delighted to have helped the club into the Scottish Cup Semi Final. I hope they can now go on and lift the trophy.”

“Ronnie and I can’t thank the fans enough for their support while we’ve been here and we wish the club and the supporters all the very best for the remainder of the season and for the future.”

More on the breaking story here.

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