Why are Aberdeen taking so long to appoint a manager?Image source, SNSImage caption, Sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel is leading the search for a new managerByAndy CoyleBBC Sport ScotlandPublished18 minutes ago”It could be six days, it could be six weeks, it could be six months.”Those were sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel’s words last month when asked for a timescale on Aberdeen appointing a new manager.The German identified a need for someone who would be “fresh air” but also bring “a certain emotion and a certain fire”. Pfannenstiel wanted to find a manager who would fit a pre-determined playing style, motivate the players and also fit into the culture of the club.The club had just taken the decision to sack Jimmy Thelin, eight months after the Swede led the team to their Scottish Cup triumph, and Pfannenstiel reported searching for the right man to tick off the wish list of attributes and skills wasn’t something that should be rushed.He warned that rushing to a “quick shot” appointment would be the wrong move.Patience is a virtue but after 37 days since Thelin’s exit Aberdeen fans are growing anxious.Five games have been played in that time with mixed results, and two more postponed. Peter Leven remains in place as interim boss before Wednesday’s trip to Dundee United but there’s still no certainty about who will lead the team long-term.Horneland has emerged as leading candidate but no appointment madeSpeaking a week after Thelin’s departure, chief executive Alan Burrows reported that in addition to the list of managers they had identified as possible candidates, the club had also been approached by plenty of candidates keen to take over. Candidates from the Premiership as well as from abroad were linked with the job.Burrows had talks planned with his sporting director to whittle down a “very long” list to something more manageable before speaking to candidates.At the end of January there was a third news as Pfannenstiel revealed the list was down to three or four candidates with interviews imminent. But he added that no rush decision would be made because of “public pressure”.The club have a very specific idea of what they want from the next boss and want to be convinced they have the ideal person to lead the team to sustained success.Only in the last week has a front-runner emerged, with Norwegian coach Eirik Horneland emerging as the leading candidate.
The former Rosenborg and Brann boss, who left his position as St Etienne manager last month, was in Aberdeen last week for talks as he appeared to be closing in on the job.
Days later, as Leven continues to work on a day-to-day basis as interim manager, there’s still no further news on the search for Thelin’s successor.
Taking time to get the right man might be no surprise given Aberdeen’s previous manager search.
After Barry Robson was dismissed in January 2024, it took until April for the club to announce Thelin as his permanent successor, and even then he didn’t start until the summer.
Leven had caretaker spells either side of Neil Warnock’s brief and colourful stint as interim boss in the meantime.
There’s no suggestion it will take another two months for a decision to be made, or there will be a wait until the summer to see a new man in place, but former Hearts and Dundee United boss Robbie Neilson believes the situation is having a negative impact.
