Aberdeen have sacked manager Jimmy Thelin just days ahead of their trip to Ibrox, with former Rangers youth player Peter Leven appointed as interim head coach.
The Dons confirmed the decision in an official club statement earlier tonight, bringing an abrupt end to Thelin’s inconsistent spell at Pittodrie.
The Swedish coach will depart the club alongside his assistant, Christer Persson, as Aberdeen move quickly to stabilise first-team affairs and begin the search for a new permanent manager.
In the interim, first-team coach Peter Leven will assume temporary charge of the squad. He will be supported by Craig Hinchliffe and Sporting Director Lutz Pfannenstiel, who will also lead the recruitment process to appoint Thelin’s long-term successor.
Aberdeen’s statement read:
“Jimmy will depart the Club alongside his assistant, Christer Persson. First-team coach Peter Leven will take temporary charge of first-team affairs, supported by Craig Hinchliffe and Sporting Director Lutz Pfannenstiel, who will also lead the process to appoint the Club’s next permanent manager.”
Thelin arrived at Aberdeen with a growing reputation following success in Sweden, but his tenure in the north-east failed to sustain momentum after a blistering start that seen the Dons go unbeaten for his first 11 league matches in charge before a major fall off last winter seen the club finish fifth.
The Swede did guide the club to a Scottish Cup final win over Celtic in May which bought him time but a poor run of form this season which has seen the club languishing in the bottom half culminated in a defeat away to Falkirk at the weekend which seen him dismissed by Dave Cormack and the Aberdeen board.
The decision comes at a critical point in the season, with Aberdeen keen to arrest a downward slide and re-establish competitiveness domestically.
Peter Leven, 42, is a familiar figure at Pittodrie, joining in 2023 as a coach and already having two previous temporary spells in the top job, steps into the spotlight again.
The former midfielder, who came through the youth ranks at Rangers before forging a solid professional career with Kilmarnock, MK Dons and various Football League clubs in England, is well-regarded internally for his work on the training ground and his understanding of the club’s structure.
His appointment is viewed as a stabilising measure while the board considers its next steps.
With Pfannenstiel overseeing the broader strategic picture, Aberdeen hope to ensure continuity while avoiding a rushed managerial appointment.
Attention will now turn to the profile of the next permanent manager.
For Thelin, the departure brings an early end to a challenging but briefly succesful chapter in his managerial career.
For Aberdeen, it marks another reset and one they hope will finally deliver the stability and progress supporters have been craving.