Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack has openly conceded that the club's protracted search for a new permanent manager has become "embarrassing," yet he remains adamant that the Dons will not be pressured into making a hasty appointment. The Scottish Premiership side has been operating without a permanent boss since dismissing Jimmy Thelin two months ago, with the team currently languishing in eighth position in the league standings.
German Candidate Sandro Schwarz in Attendance at Pittodrie
Cormack has confirmed that former Mainz, Hertha Berlin, Dynamo Moscow, and New York Red Bulls manager Sandro Schwarz is presently visiting Aberdeen and will attend tonight's crucial match against Celtic. The 47-year-old German coach has emerged as a leading contender following Cormack's public acknowledgment in a recent update to supporters.
"Visiting yesterday and through the Celtic game is Sandro Schwarz, a German, ex-Bundesliga, coached in Russia, New York Red Bulls most recently," Cormack stated. "He is visiting to check us out and vice versa. He's a top, top candidate—Hertha Berlin, Mainz in the Bundesliga. He is here just now and he's OK with me mentioning it."
Previous Frontrunner Eirik Horneland Talks Put on Hold
The managerial situation appeared to be nearing resolution last month when negotiations with Norwegian coach Eirik Horneland, formerly of Brann and Saint-Etienne, seemed to be progressing toward an agreement. However, discussions with Horneland have been temporarily suspended, leaving Schwarz as the new primary candidate under consideration.
Cormack emphasized that Schwarz represents just one of several potential candidates still being evaluated by the club's hierarchy. The chairman revealed that Aberdeen had initially compiled a shortlist of approximately four candidates before narrowing their focus, though some prospective managers have demonstrated reluctance or inability to commit immediately.
Cormack's Candid Assessment of Managerial Turnover
In a remarkably frank admission, Cormack expressed his personal embarrassment regarding the club's managerial instability. "For me, it's embarrassing that we've had to go through... this will be my sixth permanent appointment," he confessed. "The average tenure of a manager in Scotland is 1.2 years. I'm not saying that's acceptable but there is an expectation on performances."
The chairman defended the deliberate pace of the recruitment process, arguing that immediate appointments following Thelin's dismissal in January might not have represented ideal long-term solutions. "We could have hired a coach and put someone in place within one or two weeks," Cormack noted. "But would they be a 10/10 fit? From that perspective, we will take our time to get the right manager in place."
Interim Management Structure and Recruitment Appointment
While the search continues, Aberdeen maintains Peter Leven as interim manager, supported by assistants Tony Docherty and Ian Burchnall within the backroom staff. The club simultaneously confirmed the reappointment of Darren Mowbray as head of recruitment, marking his return after previously serving at Pittodrie between 2021 and 2023.
Despite these administrative moves, supporters are growing increasingly frustrated with the team's deteriorating form and downward trajectory in the league table. The Dons face consecutive challenges with tonight's Premiership encounter against Celtic at Pittodrie followed by Saturday's Scottish Cup defense against Dunfermline at East End Park.
Seasonal Assessment and Summer Appointment Considerations
Cormack acknowledged the club's failure to capitalize on momentum following last season's cup triumph, describing the situation as "really bitterly disappointing." He specifically referenced missed opportunities during the summer transfer window, particularly given the competitive nature of this year's Premiership and the performances of rivals Rangers and Celtic.
The chairman firmly rejected suggestions that delaying a permanent appointment until summer would effectively write off the current campaign. "There is nobody here at the club who has written off this season," Cormack asserted. "We still have the opportunity to retain the Scottish Cup."
Cormack explained that numerous candidates have expressed preference for a summer commencement to ensure a complete preseason for implementing their methodologies. He also revealed that one shortlisted candidate faces personal family challenges that the club must respectfully accommodate.
"The message I give to our supporters, and I do this with all my businesses, is it's really important we get the right individual in place," Cormack concluded, emphasizing the meticulous nature of executive recruitment processes. "We have already seen this season in the Scottish Premiership clubs sign a permanent manager, and they don't last very long. So there's no silver bullet to this."
