Aberdeen's Managerial Search and Upcoming Scottish Cup Match
Scottish Cup: Aberdeen vs Raith Rovers
Venue: Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen Date: Sunday, 18 January Time: 14:30 GMT
Coverage: Watch on BBC One Scotland, listen on BBC Radio Scotland, and follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app.
Aberdeen is progressing in its search for a new manager, with sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel stating that a shortlist will be finalized in a few days. The club is currently under the interim management of Peter Leven, who has led the team for the past two matches following the departure of Jimmy Thelin, who was in charge for 18 months and oversaw the Dons’ Scottish Cup final victory eight months ago.
Pfannenstiel commented, “We are in the middle of the process. We have worked extensively on a long list of candidates and are now narrowing it down to final contenders. We are not far from having a clear idea of who will be on the shortlist.”
Aberdeen's performance has been concerning, as the team currently sits eighth in the Scottish Premiership, having lost five of their last six league matches and failing to score in the last four games. Pfannenstiel emphasized the importance of taking the necessary time to find the right candidate before the upcoming Scottish Cup tie against Raith Rovers. “It’s crucial that we don’t rush this decision. We need to think carefully, conduct interviews, and delve into the details before making a choice that could impact the club negatively,” he stated.
Looking ahead, Pfannenstiel acknowledged the significance of the next two league matches against teams below them in the standings, saying, “These are games we must win to achieve our goals. While I don’t want to put undue pressure on the players, we need positive results.”
Although Pfannenstiel refrained from naming potential candidates, he noted that familiarity with Scottish football would be advantageous for the new appointee. “Whether the new manager is Scottish, German, or from elsewhere is uncertain at this point. What matters is finding the right individual who can improve Aberdeen,” he explained. He also highlighted that successful teams in the league often have foreign coaches who may not have prior experience in Scotland, indicating that a coach’s style and philosophy, along with their ability to motivate young players, are critical factors in the selection process. “We need someone with experience and passion, as many of our young players will benefit from strong guidance,” he added.