The Jimmy Thelin Era Begins

Today marks the beginning of the Jimmy Thelin managerial reign at Aberdeen Football Club. Say what you will about the famous Football Monitoring Board they have a way of ensuring you enter the summer recess, relishing the return the beginning of next season and the Swede’s opening fixture which is, whisper it, only six weeks away.

Naturally last season all thoughts were on European football and the expectation of continuing the positivity from the conclusion of the 22/23 campaign. In the summers of 2022 however, there remained optimism that the new incumbents of the managerial hot seat (Glass and Goodwin) would be able to make their mark on the squad with new additions and time on the training field. In each season there was a clear need for a rebuild and this year promises to be no different.

The mantra that the club cannot keep undertaking such major surgery on an annual basis is valid, as is the conflicting argument that they also cannot continuing making the wrong managerial appointments. However, it is much easier for those in senior football positions to blame the coaching staff than consider their own failings.

It is such a track record that tempers the hope that this summer brings with the the Deja Vu of previous Junes and Julys. There is justifiable belief that this year the expectations may be on sounder footing but there does seem to be prevailing narrative from the club and the fanbase that we are of a more grounded but longer-term looking approach.

We are not looking at getting a couple of good signings in and putting Hearts back in their place. There have been numerous statements from Pittodrie on the need for patience and there is a larger acceptance that signs of progress on the pitch will be a major barometer for the season ahead. How that will be measured and who the judges are, will be a major question as the season progresses.

Of the side that started the final league match of the season, four of the starting eleven will be out of contract: Kelle Roos, Stefan Gartenmman, Connor Barron and Junior Hoillet. It is expected that Roos and Barron will definitely be away and we should expect a decision on the other two fairly swiftly. Both ended the season strongly with Hoillet given a glowing recommendation from Peter Leven.

The other major question mark relates to Bojan Miovski although it’s highly likely the North Macedonian has played his final match for the Dons. The club’s vaunted ‘player trading model’ relies on cashing in at the right time, and now, with two years left on his deal, is probably the right time for Miovski. His strike partner Duk has also been linked with a move away but his form this past year would seem to have reduced his likely list of suitors.

Anthony Stewart’s ill-fated two years are now up and we may well see some of the younger players depart the club. Beyond that we can probably expect a second wave of departures and loans after Thelin has taken a good review of the squad around August time.

On the other side, when can we expect the first signings of the Thelin regime? Apparently some potential signings were waiting on confirmation of the new manager before committing. This week the club were linked with goalkeepers Serbian Stojan Lekovic and Robbie McCrorie the Rangers #2 and brother of Ross so this position, rightly, seems like a priority.

Beyond that, things have been quiet and it will be interesting to see where Thelin seeks to draw his recruits from.

There will be much more to discuss and think about as the summer progresses but in the short-term let’s enjoy the hope of the potential.