Huge next Aberdeen manager twist as St Mirren let Stephen Robinson speak to Pittodrie side
Pittodrie outfit triggers clause in contract as Dons finally make move
Aberdeen are closing in on the appointment of Stephen Robinson as their new manager after being granted permission to speak to the current St Mirren boss.
The Dons have been searching for a new manager since sacking Jimmy Thelin in early January. They have been linked with foreign coaches such as Eirik Horneland and Sandro Schwarz but after crashing out of the Scottish Cup quarter-finals to Dunfermline Athletic and slipping down the Premiership table in a worrying run of poor form, the Aberdeen hierarchy have made their move for Robinson.
Club statements from both Aberdeen and St Mirren on Wednesday confirmed that the Northern Irishman has been permitted to talk to the Pittodrie hierarchy. “Aberdeen FC has this morning been officially given permission to enter formal talks with St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson regarding the vacant managerial position,” a statement read. “The club will provide an update in due course.”
St Mirren also confirmed that they had allowed Robinson to finalise terms with Aberdeen after a clause in his contract was met.
“St Mirren Football Club can confirm that we have been approached by Aberdeen FC to speak to manager Stephen Robinson in relation to their managerial vacancy,” they communicated. “Aberdeen have met a contractual clause in Stephen’s contract so the club has granted them permission to speak to him regarding the vacancy. We hope for a swift resolution to this matter and will keep supporters updated.”
Robinson has been with St Mirren since 2022 and has been a huge success in Paisley. He has guided them to the Premier Sports Cup, European football and three consecutive top-six finishes in the Premiership. They are also in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup this season, although sit tenth in the league, three points above the relegation play-off.
Aberdeen are currently ninth in the table, five points clear of the Buddies. Peter Leven has been in interim charge of first-team affairs since Thelin’s departure and was scathing of his players after the 3-0 loss to Championship side Dunfermline on Saturday evening, admitting the Dons “are in trouble”.
The recruitment process has been led by sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel and last week chairman Dave Cormack said that Aberdeen would continue to take their time to get the correct appointment. They appear to have now settled on Robinson, after a move for former Saint-Etienne boss Horneland hit the buffers due to a family matter.
Aberdeen’s next match is on Saturday when they host Falkirk, while St Mirren are at home to Rangers on Sunday.
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