Aberdeen weigh domestic and foreign options after Robinson sacking
Aberdeen are searching for a sixth permanent manager since 2021 after dismissing Stephen Robinson, with Steven Pressley and John McGlynn among the early domestic names linked.
Aberdeen are looking for another manager after Stephen Robinson's departure on Monday, the fifth dismissal at Pittodrie since the spring of 2021. Robinson followed Stephen Glass, Jim Goodwin, Barry Robson and Jimmy Thelin in leaving abruptly during chairman Dave Cormack's tenure. Most of that group lasted less than a year, and while Thelin ended the club's 35-year wait for the Scottish Cup, the wider trend has been underwhelming league form.
Two domestic candidates were mentioned soon after Robinson's exit: Dundee's Steven Pressley and Falkirk's John McGlynn. Both have drawn praise for results and style in the Premiership over the past 17 months. Falkirk sit third, two places above Dundee.
Former Aberdeen defender Richard Foster described Pressley and McGlynn as the two who stand out domestically. He said Pressley commands respect in the dressing room, that Dundee players enjoy playing for him, and that his spells at Hearts and Celtic gave him experience of a big club. Michael Stewart highlighted McGlynn's recruitment, saying he travels widely to identify players before they reach Falkirk and is likely to be a contender for bigger jobs. Scott Allan called McGlynn tactically astute and praised the consistency of his work.
Steve Clarke, who stepped down as Scotland head coach five months ago, has also been mentioned. He led Scotland to three major tournaments and has worked at Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle United, West Bromwich Albion and Reading, as well as Kilmarnock. Gary Caldwell, the former Scotland centre-half now managing Wigan Athletic, has been linked too. For Clarke and McGlynn, personal circumstances and geography could affect any move to the north east.
Aberdeen have rarely appointed managers from outside Scotland. Thelin is a rare overseas example, while Ebbe Skovdahl was the only other non-Scottish boss, from 1999 to 2002. With German sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel in place, the club may look further afield, as Hearts, Hibernian and Motherwell have done recently.
Former Aberdeen defender Stuart Duff is in interim charge after Robinson, assistant Brian Kerr and coach Stephen Craigan left. Aberdeen are second bottom, two points above Kilmarnock, having lost seven league games this season. Unless a appointment is made during the international break, Duff is due to take the team to Kilmarnock on 21 November and Rangers three days later, with Dundee visiting on 28 November. The tightly packed middle of the table leaves Aberdeen a couple of wins from the top six.
Image: SNS / BBC Sport
