Stephen Robinson is set to be shown the door by Aberdeen chiefs after just eight months in the hot seat. He will become the latest boss to be axed with another rebuild on the cards at Pittodrie, continuing a staggering run of managerial turnover.
Since Derek McInnes left the club in March 2021 the Dons have hired and fired five bosses - with Stephen Glass, Jim Goodwin, Barry Robson, Neil Warnock, Jimmy Thelin. Now Robinson is set to make that six when he departs the Granite City. And that's not to mention a host of interim tenures that have been and gone under Paul Sheerin and Peter Leven.
Who could replace Robinson?
In fact, since Goodwin took on the Dundee United job in March 2023 he has seen off four Aberdeen gaffers after bouncing back at Tannadice. While that may offer some comfort for outgoing Robinson, it's hardly going to appease the Dons' support who are crying out for stability as well as success.
But who could be in the running already for chairman Dave Cormack, sporting director Lutz Pfanenstiel, and CEO Adrian Bevington? Record Sport takes a look.
Candidates from Scotland and beyond
John McGlynn: Aberdeen went for the hot manager in Scotland last time around and it hasn't paid off for them – leading to a belief they'll be looking further afield this time. But how much longer can the big-budget clubs in Scotland keep looking past McGlynn? The job he's done, and continues to do, at Falkirk goes beyond revelation. Back-to-back promotions to get them back to the top flight, successive PFA Scotland Manager of the Year awards, a top six finish in their first season back in the Premiership, and now they've won five successive top flight games for the first time in 30 years – to go into the international break in third place.
Conor Hourihane: New CEO Adrian Bevington will lead any search for the next boss and as such it would be no surprise to see them dip into the English market. There, they could find Hourihane, a highly-rated coach who just left Leicester where he was Russell Martin's No.2 – but don't let that put you off. The 36-time Ireland cap was really making a name for himself as manager of Barnsley and had them in contention for promotion from League One when he was named Manager of the Month in November 2025. A downturn in form led to his exit the following April, when he teamed up with Martin at Leicester the following summer.
Familiar faces and fresh options
Eirik Horneland: There's something to be said for picking up where you left off. The Dons pushed hard to land Brann boss Horneland the last time they were looking for a new manager, but talks fell through and they elected to go closer to home with Robinson instead. Not much has changed for the Norwegian since. His side are currently seventh in the Danish league and looking good for a Conference League knockout spot, and whether he'd fancy upping sticks for a move to Scotland this time around remains to be seen. But it's likely he's one Aberdeen will consider once again.
Simo Valakari: Valakari's St Johnstone are notorious for playing heavy metal football on a SPFL budget, but since returning to the top flight, there's been a steel and rigidity to them that wasn't present when they bottomed out of the Premiership in his first season. The Finn has well and truly rewarded the club's loyalty to him and without compromising on his style, he's turned them into a side who look well capable of punching above their weight competing for the top six. The concern around him may be how long it takes to implement his unique brand of football, perhaps not something Aberdeen have time for in their current predicament.
Uwe Rosler: The well-travelled German boss has an established history with Pfannenstiel, having worked together at Fortuna Dusseldorf, and he was another leading candidate the last time the Pittodrie job came up. At that time, he couldn't be persuaded to leave VfL Bochum, but if the Dons are looking for a recognised name who would command instant respect, then few fit that bill better than the 57-year-old.
More names in the frame
Steve Clarke: Speaking of managers who would command instant respect... Clarke has taken some time off leaving the Scotland job and he's earned the right to take his time in deciding what comes next. But if he wants to continue managing in Scotland then there are few better opportunities than the one on the table at Pittodrie. If Clarke wants the job, he'd likely get it. Unless they have a firm favourite in mind, not as if Cormack, Pfannenstiel and Bevington would say no to the man who led Scotland to three major tournaments and is widely held up as the greatest international manager the country has seen in recent memory.
David Gray: Having just been axed by Hibs, he's not going to be many Aberdeen fans' first choice. But if the Dons end up looking for a short-term fix who can steady the ship between now and the end of the season, then as unsexy a name as he may be, Gray will feel he has the CV for the job. For the most part at Easter Road, he was a steady, capable manager who, without tearing up any trees, delivered par with expectations.
Antoine Kombouare: The former Dons defender admitted he'd jump at the chance to manage the club when the job was last available and that catapulted him into reported contention. Back then, his stock was high after leaving Nantes, and he's since had a short-lived spell at ambitious Paris FC, who had a strong finish to the season under his tutelage but ultimately decided to move on.
Friedhelm Funkel: OK, so man in his 70s who has never managed outside of his homeland might seem a bit of a rogue contender. But when has Lutz Pfannenstiel ever shied away from rogue behaviour? Another boss Pfannenstiel worked with at Dusseldorf, 72-year-old Funkel brings a CV to the table that few others can offer. In his most recent gig, he led FC Koln back to the Bundesliga, and has been out of work since, but is yet to formally call it a day.
Steven Pressley: When Dundee appointed Pressley around 18 months ago, many had them relegated on the spot. But he told us all he was a completely different coach now than when he last managed six years previously – and so it has proved. After a tough start to last season, Pressley's Dee have gone from strength to strength. They were in no danger of relegation last term, finishing eighth in the end, and look in good shape for another strong campaign after a flying start to 2026/27. They currently sit fifth, just three points behind Hearts, and it's starting to seem like just a matter of time before Pressley is rewarded for his impressive body of work with an opportunity elsewhere.
