Aberdeen’s Search for a New Manager: Insights from Lutz Pfannenstiel

Lutz Pfannenstiel officially joined Aberdeen in October and is now spearheading the search for a new manager following the departure of Jimmy Thelin. The Dons’ sporting director announced that a managerial shortlist will be established “in a few more days.”

The match against Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup is scheduled to take place at Pittodrie Stadium on Sunday, January 18, at 14:30 GMT. Fans can follow the game’s coverage on BBC One Scotland, listen on BBC Radio Scotland, or access live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app.

Since Thelin’s tenure ended in early January—just eight months after securing the Scottish Cup—Peter Leven has been appointed as the interim manager and has overseen the team’s last two fixtures. Despite the ongoing challenges, Pfannenstiel remains optimistic about progressing in the managerial search.

“We are in the midst of the process,” he conveyed during an interview with BBC Scotland. “We have advanced from a long list to focusing on some final candidates. We are not too far away from finalizing our shortlist.”

Aberdeen’s performance in the league has been concerning, currently sitting eighth in the Scottish Premiership, having lost five of their last six matches and failing to score in the past four. Pfannenstiel insists that the club will take the necessary time to identify the right individual for the managerial role.

“It is crucial for us not to rush this decision. We want to ensure that we thoroughly evaluate our options through interviews and in-depth discussions. I would prefer to spend additional time to avoid making an incorrect decision,” he stated, highlighting the significance of the upcoming Scottish Cup match against Raith Rovers, as well as impending league fixtures against lower-ranked teams Livingston and Kilmarnock, which are deemed essential for achieving their season goals.

Although Pfannenstiel refrained from naming potential candidates, he noted that familiarity with Scottish football would be advantageous for the eventual appointee. “Will he be Scottish? Will he be German? I cannot disclose that at the moment. What we want is the right individual who can enhance Aberdeen’s performance.”

He acknowledged the success of teams employing foreign managers in the league, indicating that national origin should not be the sole determining factor in the hiring process. Instead, he emphasized the importance of playing style, tactical philosophy, and the candidate’s ability to motivate and guide the young players within the squad. Pfannenstiel believes that finding someone with both experience and passion is critical for the club’s future.