Who will be Aberdeen’s next manager? The candidates to replace Stephen Robinson

Aberdeen are searching for a new head coach after sacking Stephen Robinson on Monday, eight months after appointing him from St Mirren. The club says work on a replacement had already begun.

The search for Aberdeen’s next manager will be watched closely. It will be the sixth permanent appointment since Dave Cormack took control in November 2019, and whoever gets the job will inherit a side second-bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

Why Robinson was sacked

The 4-0 home defeat by Hibernian on 7 November was the last straw. It was Aberdeen’s third successive league defeat, came a week after they lost the League Cup semi-final to Rangers, and left them two points above bottom club Kilmarnock. Read our report on Robinson’s exit.

Robinson won three of his 12 Premiership games this season. His assistant Brian Kerr and first-team coach Stephen Craigan have also left, and Stuart Duff is in interim charge.

The candidates

John McGlynn (Falkirk). The 64-year-old has done remarkable work at Falkirk, guiding them to sixth last season, and they are fourth after four straight league wins, according to bet365 News. Former Don Charlie Mulgrew has urged Aberdeen to go for him, telling his podcast the club needs a more attacking style. Prising him away mid-season would be the hard part.

Gary Caldwell (Wigan Athletic). The former Hibs and Celtic defender is on Aberdeen’s shortlist, according to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook. Caldwell manages Wigan in League One and has previously been in charge at Chesterfield, Partick Thistle and Exeter City.

Eirik Horneland. The Norwegian was Aberdeen’s leading target when they replaced Jimmy Thelin last winter, and was frontrunner for several weeks. The deal was delayed by what Aberdeen called circumstances outside either side’s control, and the club turned to Robinson instead.

Neil Lennon. The former Celtic and Hibs manager’s name has been mooted, according to the Herald, though there is no suggestion of an approach.

Steven Pressley. The Elgin-born former Scotland defender is the name most often put forward by supporters online. There has been no report of contact.

Steven Naismith. Linked with the job in January, the former Hearts manager now works as assistant to Scotland’s under-21 coach alongside a mentoring role at the Scottish FA.

What Aberdeen need

Chairman Dave Cormack said in March that the club wanted to “become harder to play against and restore competitiveness” when it appointed Robinson. Eight months on, the brief looks different. Mulgrew described Robinson’s appointment as “a panic, an emotional decision rather than a strategic one”, and the next one will need to be the opposite.

Time is short. Aberdeen go to Kilmarnock on Saturday 21 November, then face Rangers at Ibrox three days later, live on Sky Sports. Our Rangers vs Aberdeen TV guide has the details. Dundee visit Pittodrie on 28 November.

Aberdeen next manager: FAQs

Who is Aberdeen’s manager now? Stuart Duff is in interim charge after Stephen Robinson was sacked.

Who are the favourites to be Aberdeen’s next manager? John McGlynn and Gary Caldwell are the names most widely reported.

Why was Stephen Robinson sacked? Aberdeen were second-bottom after three straight league defeats, the last a 4-0 home loss to Hibs.

When do Aberdeen play next? Away to Kilmarnock on Saturday 21 November, then Rangers on Tuesday 24 November.