Aberdeen sacks Stephen Robinson after Hibs thrashing, begins another manager search
Stephen Robinson leaves Aberdeen as the club's shortest-serving full-time manager by games played, second bottom of the Scottish Premiership, as the board's recruitment record comes under scrutiny from supporters.
Aberdeen have parted with head coach Stephen Robinson less than eight months after his appointment, following a 4-0 home defeat by Hibernian. The Northern Irishman, who took charge in March on a three-and-a-half-year deal, departs as the club's shortest-serving full-time manager by games played.
Robinson leaves Aberdeen second bottom of the Scottish Premiership, with the joint-worst attacking record in the division and three wins from 12 matches. His appointment came while he was under pressure at St Mirren, despite a League Cup win three months earlier, and was widely seen among supporters as a panicked move as the club slid toward a relegation play-off. He secured top-flight survival last season but the current campaign has unfolded as many in the stands feared.
The Hibs defeat carried a further sting: Jamie McGrath, allowed to leave Aberdeen on a free transfer in 2025 when the club would not match Hibs' contract offer, opened the scoring with a long-range strike. The article traces deeper problems to chairman Dave Cormack's 2021 decision to replace Derek McInnes with Stephen Glass, and notes Cormack's March comments about an "embarrassing" sixth permanent appointment and a promise to take time over the next one. Robinson was hired on 12 March. The club were eighth then; they now sit 11th, two points off the bottom and six behind sixth-placed Dundee United, whose manager Jim Goodwin was sacked by Cormack in 2023.
Supporters' views, as quoted, are divided on where blame lies. Graeme argued Robinson should have been given more time and called for stability, while Sandra said he got plenty wrong but should not have been allowed to overhaul the entire squad, describing the club as "a shambles." Mango and Niall criticised the board and recruitment, with Niall saying the successor inherits a squad low on quality, direction and confidence. Greg called it a panic appointment and wondered why preferred candidates declined the job.
The article notes Aberdeen's strong community work and consistently high home attendances, but says results on the pitch must improve. It also highlights the financial cost of repeated appointments and sackings as Cormack, sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel and new chief executive Adrian Bevington begin the search for another manager.
Image: SNS / BBC Sport
