Aberdeen's sporting director, Lutz Pfannenstiel, has revealed the club has been inundated with applications for the vacant manager's position, describing a mix of 'big names', 'surprising names', and 'terrible names' from across the globe.
A Clear Profile for the Next Dons Boss
The German executive is leading the search for a successor to Jimmy Thelin, who was dismissed on Sunday with the Dons sitting eighth in the Scottish Premiership. Despite the volume of interest, Pfannenstiel insists the Pittodrie hierarchy are in no rush and have a definitive profile for their next appointment.
'We have a clear idea how the next manager should look,' Pfannenstiel stated. 'I always say the connection to Scottish football is really important. Knowing the Scottish league is really important.'
He elaborated that the club's desired playing identity is non-negotiable, seeking a coach who can implement a high-energy, aggressive style. 'We want to be a high-pressing, hard-working, high-intensity team,' he said, adding that tactical and technical boxes must be ticked.
Character and Personality 'The Total Package'
Beyond tactics, Pfannenstiel emphasised the critical importance of character. He believes the new manager must resonate with the club's culture and fanbase, who harbour lofty expectations.
'We need a guy who feels Aberdeen, who can understand the culture here,' he explained. 'He needs to reflect a certain emotion and a certain fire, which I think is extremely important to get this team going. The mix between tactical, technical, playing style, identity, but also the character and the personality must be the total package.'
No Panic as Interim Boss Leven Holds the Fort
With a clear vision in mind, Pfannenstiel stressed there will be no hasty decision. He is fully supportive of interim manager Peter Leven remaining in charge for the foreseeable future.
'I think it would be very wrong to just make a panic decision,' Pfannenstiel cautioned. 'We want to make a very thoughtful decision. We want to take our time.'
He refused to set a deadline, quipping it 'could be six days, could be six weeks, could be six months.' His confidence in Leven, who has previously stepped in and delivered positive results, allows the club this breathing room.
The search follows the sacking of Thelin, who won the Scottish Cup last season to end a 33-year drought for the club but failed to build on that success this term despite significant investment in the squad.
