New Aberdeen chief executive Adrian Bevington has insisted he and manager Stephen Robinson are absolutely aligned in their drive to make the club successful. He wants to make sure he and the manager are both at Pittodrie in the long-term.
Bevington, who replaced Alan Burrows as chief executive, knows the Dons manager is just as determined to bring the glory days back to the Granite City. He admitted he has been impressed with their Northern Irish manager.
They both have goals to get Aberdeen fighting at the top end of the Premiership, for trophies and representing Scotland in European competition.
Impressed by Robinson's professionalism
Bevington said: "His professionalism, his drive, his determination, his clarity of thought. But also the humility in our meeting.
"Sometimes you can sit down with managers when it's new and both sides of the table you can sense that there's a little bit of tension there - there was no tension.
"I felt immediately that we were really aligned in what we want to achieve here.
"We both want to be here for a long time. We both want to achieve success.
"We've got to do it in a measured way so we're not making crazy statements - I think I've been around it enough to know that you don't make crazy statements on the football side.
"But I'll do everything I can to support him.
"He just really did impress me. I can see how hard he works, by the way, as well.
"That's something I would always get across to the fans.
"Stephen and his coaching staff are absolutely driven as people."
Long-term plans with sporting director
The Englishman admitted he wants to get on-board with Robinson and sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel for the long-term.
Bevington explained: "From a footballing philosophy, it is important that each club has a refined footballing philosophy. That is the remit of the sporting director.
"I have had some really good discussions already with Lutz. I know him a little bit from the industry.
"In conjunction with Stephen, I am not one of those people who comes into the football club and does not respect and appreciate the role of the head coach or manager. That for me is a hugely important aspect of it.
"What we are trying to do here is we support Stephen as much as we can.
"He has to feel my support on a day-to-day basis. I will do everything I can to support him.
"I also want to support Lutz so we can plan long-term.
"It is not just about the first-team but development right around the club."
Stadium plans and Macron kit deal
Aberdeen still remain in talks with Aberdeen City Council, led by chairman Dave Cormack, over the building of a new stadium at the beach. Bevington was in charge when the new Wembley and St George's Park were built. He hopes his time at Aberdeen will coincide with a new home.
He explained: "I still think is where we are at (head of terms). My understanding is that there are still conversations on-going between the club and the local authority.
"The key message from me is that we are committed to it. Dave had has number of different conversations and he feels positive in the direction that they have moved forward with.
"What I don't want to do is to give it more energy just now. It is a commitment the club, Dave, myself and the board want to deliver on that.
"This has been around in the either for such a long time, so we need to try and make that move forward with significant energy."
Aberdeen have recently signed a new kit deal with Macron for this season. There were significant delays in getting the new home shirt into the shops. Bevington plans to speak to the Italian company in a bid to see where improvements can be made on all sides.
He added: "Yes, there have been conversations. We are in regular contact with Macron because we have to make sure that the product we have is there on time, is of a standard, the fans want it and it is accessible for them to buy.
"Obviously, Macron wants the same thing as well. I hope to have conversations with the senior people at Macron over the next couple of weeks, more of a formal introduction as this is how we need to work moving forward.
"I am sure they will be saying the same to me. I expect any issues from the initial bedding in period we can rectify and moving forward we don't have that problem.
"I am really committed to the fans, where it is merchandise is that we do it to a really high level. I don't anything that slides or slips in any area of the club. It is how I am wired.
"That is not about Macron specifically but right across the club. I hope I will be having more conversations with Macron."
