Thelin 'accepts' Aberdeen sacking after winless run

4 days ago 2

Aberdeen have parted with Scottish Cup winning manager Jimmy Thelin with the side eighth in the Scottish Premiership and on a five-match losing run.

The Swede, 47, said, "I accept this decision" and "I take my share of responsibility".

His departure comes eight months after the he led the Pittodrie side to their first Scottish Cup win in 35 years, beating holders Celtic on penalties.

Saturday's 1-0 Scottish Premiership loss at Falkirk was the Dons' second straight defeat and followed a draw with Dundee United and losses to Celtic and Conference League opponents Sparta Prague.

First team coach Peter Leven takes charge of the first team on an interim basis, starting with Tuesday's trip to Rangers.

Thelin's assistant Christer Persson is also leaving Pittodrie.

And Thelin said: "Today my time as manager at Aberdeen comes to an end. It is with great respect for this historic club that I accept this decision.

"Results ultimately decide the tenure of this profession, and as such I take my share of responsibility.

"I believe wholly in the work that was done; however, football doesn't always allow time for belief to become results. I would like to thank the players for their commitment and effort during my time as their coach, and the staff who worked every day with loyalty and pride.

"I would also like to thank the supporters. Your passion for your team never waivers, even in disappointment.

"Aberdeen will forever be a part of my journey, and it has been an honour to lead this great club and share that memorable day together at Hampden. I leave wishing success to everyone involved both on and off the pitch."

Aberdeen said "results and performances have fallen below the required standard and have not been commensurate with the level of investment made in the first-team squad and football operation".

And chairman Dave Cormack said: "In wishing Jimmy and Christer the very best for the future I want to thank them for delivering our first Scottish Cup win in 35 years last May.

"These memories will last a lifetime, and Jimmy will be forever etched into Aberdeen's history for delivering such a special day for our supporters, as only one of six Aberdeen managers to win the Scottish Cup in our storied 122-year history.

"However, after significant investment in recent windows, we have not kicked on in the way we hoped or expected following that success.

"We have tried to give the situation as much time as possible, but recent performances have been significantly below the standards we expect, and we believe it is now right to take a different direction."

A graphic of Aberdeen's past five league fixtures

Thelin had come under pressure earlier in the season, with Aberdeen having taken just one point from their opening six league games and been knocked out of the Premier Sports Cup by Motherwell.

However, an upturn in domestic form gave the former Elfsborg head coach more time.

Aberdeen, who host Rangers next Sunday, finished second bottom of the Conference League league phase with just two points with Thelin winning just eight out of a possible 30 games across all competitions since that Hampden triumph.

Thelin said after Saturday's loss: "I won't talk much about the game, but more about ourselves. The desire, there's too many individual decisions.

"Football is more than technique and systems. It's how you act on the football pitch. It's about responsibility. We've been here before, we've bounced back, but now we're back some steps again.

"Even if you don't have the perfect game, it should always feel like we give the fans everything, and right now we aren't doing that. That's not good enough.

"I'm the manager, I'm responsible, but sometimes the players have to look in the mirror and know what football is about. We have to drop our egos and play much better as a team."

Thelin joined Aberdeen in the summer of 2024 and made an impressive impact, winning 14 and drawing one of his opening 15 games in charge.

However, a 6-0 loss to Celtic in last season's League Cup semi-final heralded a downturn in league form and Aberdeen's Premiership season never really recovered from their humbling at Hampden.

In the Scottish Cup final, Aberdeen forced extra time after training at the break and won through in the shootout to seal a Europa League qualifying berth.

Defeat over two legs against Romanian side FCSB consigned the Dons to the Conference League, where they picked up draws with AEK Larnaca and Noah. A 6-0 loss at AEK Athens and 3-0 defeat by Sparta Prague illustrated the defensive problems Aberdeen had in Europe this season.

The club are now looking for their fifth manager since Derek McInnes' eight-year reign ended in 2021, with Cormack having been chairman for the past four appointments.

Thelin lasted two games longer than predecessor Barry Robson, despite having a slightly lower win rate.

Leven, who will be assisted by Craig Hinchliffe and sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel, previously oversaw the first team following Robson's sacking in early 2024 and after Neil Warnock's short tenure later that year. Leven won six of his 12 games in charge that season.

Aberdeen say Pfannenstiel "will also lead the process to appoint the club's next permanent manager".

Read Entire Article