Aberdeen Sporting Director Lutz Pfannenstiel has framed tonight’s trip to Ibrox as both a reset moment and an immediate examination, as the Dons prepare to face Rangers in the wake of Jimmy Thelin’s dismissal.
Speaking ahead of the match, Pfannenstiel struck a respectful tone when reflecting on Thelin’s departure, while making it clear that results and momentum ultimately forced the board’s hand.
“It’s always very difficult and never an easy situation,” Pfannenstiel said.
“Jimmy will always be remembered as the manager who won the [Scottish] Cup after so many years.
“He was very popular with the players and staff and a true gentleman.”
However, the German acknowledged that recent performances made change unavoidable, even with a daunting Ibrox fixture looming.
“There’s never a right or wrong time,” he explained.
“But looking at performances around Christmas, the Celtic game, the Dundee game, then two losses in the last week, it showed that a change could give us different momentum and a different voice.”
That momentum will be tested immediately against a Rangers side building confidence and intensity, with Pfannenstiel admitting the decision was taken with the short-term challenge very much in mind.
“We had to make that call and now work hard to steer the ship back in the right direction and pick up as many points as possible,” he said.
While much of Pfannenstiel’s briefing focused on the wider managerial search, the subtext ahead of Ibrox was clear: Aberdeen cannot afford another poor showing against Rangers, regardless of circumstance.
Eighth place in the league, he stressed, is unacceptable.
“For me, eighth position with the quality of that squad is not good enough,” Pfannenstiel admitted.
“That’s below par.”
Asked about the immediate future on the touchline, Pfannenstiel offered firm backing to interim boss Peter Leven, a former Rangers youth player and childhood supporter, who now faces one of the toughest fixtures in Scottish football.
“I have full belief and full trust in Peter Leven,” he said.
“He’s done it before as interim manager and got good results.
“He knows the team and the club very well.”
That trust will be tested under the lights at a freezing Ibrox, with Rangers expected to press aggressively and set the tempo, buoyed by their 3-1 Old Firm victory at Celtic Park at the weekend.
Pfannenstiel’s broader message to players was unmistakable: this is a reset, and no one is immune from scrutiny.
“You now have six months to show yourself,” he told the squad.
“To prove you are worth wearing that badge. If we don’t see intensity and effort, then that tells us more changes are needed.”
While Aberdeen look ahead to structural change, Rangers represent the immediate obstacle - a benchmark fixture against a side in form and on the rise.