Aberdeen have advanced their search for a new head coach after speaking to seven potential candidates in recent days. Sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel and chief executive Adrian Bevington have held discussions with various British and European options as they work to narrow down a shortlist for chairman Dave Cormack and the board.
The club began its search after Stephen Robinson was sacked earlier this week, following a four-goal defeat to Hibs that left the Reds second-bottom of the table. Aberdeen's preference is for a traditional head coach rather than a traditional style manager.
Search Process Underway
Pfannenstiel and Bevington have brought various candidates to the table and have put together a criteria for what the Pittodrie club wants from its next appointment. Other managers have also been considered since the post became available.
Pfannenstiel brings experience from his time working in Germany and with St Louis City in Major League Soccer, while recently-appointed Bevington can draw on extensive experience south of the border. The pair are now in the process of drilling things down to a final shortlist.
Second Round of Talks
A second round of discussions will see these options cut down again. Robinson was dismissed after the defeat to Hibs, having kept Aberdeen up last season, but his newly-assembled squad was unable to take that next step under him.
Aberdeen have had to dig deep financially over the past year after sacking Scottish Cup-winning boss Jimmy Thelin and now Robinson. Stuart Duff has been put in interim charge of the first-team and is leading preparations for the Kilmarnock game after the break.
Potential Boardroom Change
Meanwhile, the Dons could face further boardroom change. Reports in America claim that Atlanta United's Dimitrios Efstathiou is set to depart his position as vice president of soccer operations. Efstathiou also holds a position as an Aberdeen director as part of the partnership between the two clubs.
