Aberdeen lost 1-0 away to Falkirk in the final game of the Jimmy Thelin Era.
Aberdeen have sacked Jimmy Thelin after 18 months in charge, following an underwhelming start to the season in which they sit eighth in the league table.
The former Dons boss had come close to dismissal various times previously but each time he seemed one game away from the untenable, his side pulled a result from nowhere. It wasn’t to be this time though, with a dismal showing at Falkirk proving the last straw on the camel’s back.
Embed from Getty ImagesChairman Dave Cormack said,
“…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.”
Although he did pay credit to the Swede for bringing back Scottish Cup success to the Granite City.
“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.”
It’s ultimately what his time in charge will be remembered for: bringing the Dons fans one of the best days of their sporting lives. A dominant Celtic side headed into the Scottish Cup Final last season after defeating St Johnstone 5-0 in the semi-final. In comparison, Aberdeen limped over the line with a 118th minute winner against the nine men of Hearts.
Come the 24th of May, very few gave the Dons a chance. They approached the tie on the back of four straight league defeats, with their previous match against Celtic at Hampden ending in a 6-0 hammering.
Yet, against the run of play, they dug in and held out for a 1-1 draw. At penalties, it was anyone’s game, and they edged out Brendan Rodgers’ men 4-3.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt ended their eleven year cup drought, when they last lifted the Scottish League Cup at Celtic Park in 2014. In terms of the Scottish Cup, it was their first in 35 years. Thelin had joined an elite company of managers to win major honours with Aberdeen and ensured European league phase football in the process.
Yet, as cynical as it sounds, it was majorly papering over the cracks.
Thelin arrived in the Summer of 2024 and started brilliantly, winning nine and drawing one of the opening ten league matches. Yet, during that period, the overall level of performance didn’t match the results. While finding a way to win when you don’t play well can be construed as a positive trait, it is rarely ever sustainable.
They headed to Hampden in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final, facing a high-flying Celtic side with an identical domestic record to date. It would prove to be a damaging day as the Hoops bullied the Dons to a 6-0 victory. While they would bounce back a week later with a 4-1 win over Dundee, they would then embark on a fourteen game winless run, picking up just four points, including a 4-0 loss to Kilmarnock plus 3-1 and 3-0 losses at home to Hibernian and St Mirren. While their fortunes turned around soon after with just one loss in their next nine, as mentioned, they finished the campaign with four straight losses.
This season, they picked up just one point in the opening six games without scoring a single goal. In their conference league campaign, they finished 35th of 36, with just two points to their name. A brief turnaround in league form happened, with six wins, two draws and a loss in their next nine.
Thelin’s side has always been streaky but unfortunately the losing streaks last longer than the winning streaks. So, when Aberdeen slumped to their third straight defeat at the weekend, the hierarchy decided enough was enough.
Embed from Getty ImagesThelin reflected on his time with gratitude, stating:
“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.”
Furthermore, the 47-year-old can hardly cite a lack of transfer investment as a negating factor. During his tenure, Aberdeen spent £8.92 million. To put into perspective, competitors Hibernian and Hearts have spent £4 and £2 million in the same period.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe came with an identity as a possession-based 4-2-3-1 manager who drove Elfsborg to two second-placed finishes in the Allsvenskan, losing the 2023/24 title only on goal difference to Malmö.
Yet, his Don’s side never truly clicked tactically. They tried to build up through the central areas before releasing their pacey players out wide but it all became rather predictable and there was a lack of plan B present.
Ultimately, they became a side relying on individual brilliance and lacking the means to find any sort of consistency.
The Reds now face a double header against Rangers, with Peter Leven retaking the reins as interim boss. In his eleven previous games in charge, they have won six drew, four and lost one.
Stephen Robinson is the bookies’ favourite to take over and you’d have to say it’s an option that makes sense for both parties. The Northern Irishman has proven an astute tactician, leading both Motherwell and St Mirren to top six finishes, two domestic cup finals, and of course, recently won the Viaplay Cup with the Buddies. He is in his fourth year at Paisley and may be looking for a new challenge. With all respect to St Mirren, he has earned his right to have a shot at one of Scotland’s bigger clubs. However, he may want to finish what he has built at the Buddies and try and achieve a top six finish and make a run in the Scottish Cup to round off his tenure.
Embed from Getty ImagesFrom an Aberdeen point of view, Leven has proven a safe pair of hands in the past and if they must wait till the end of the season for Robinson’s services, they should be comfortable in keeping the young Scot in charge until then.
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