Aberdeen Football Club has once again found itself at a crossroads, as the Pittodrie side parted company with manager Jimmy Thelin on January 4, 2026, following a string of disappointing results that have left the club languishing in eighth place in the Scottish Premiership. The decision, announced less than 48 hours before Aberdeen’s scheduled trip to Ibrox to face Rangers, has sent ripples through Scottish football, upending the Dons’ preparations and forcing both clubs to rethink their tactical plans for the midweek clash.
Thelin’s departure marks the end of an 18-month tenure that brought both historic highs and frustrating lows. Appointed in April 2024 and officially taking charge six weeks later, the Swedish coach quickly endeared himself to Aberdeen supporters by orchestrating an 11-game unbeaten run that propelled the team into early contention with the likes of Celtic at the top of the table. For a brief moment, it seemed as though Thelin might be the man to restore Aberdeen’s former glory.
But football rarely follows a script. Despite that promising start, Aberdeen’s momentum waned in the second half of the 2024/25 campaign, ultimately resulting in a fifth-place finish—a respectable outcome, but one that fell short of the club’s ambitions given significant recent investment in the squad and football operations. However, Thelin’s crowning achievement came in May 2025, when he led Aberdeen to their first Scottish Cup triumph in 35 years, defeating Celtic on penalties at Hampden Park. The dramatic final saw the Dons take the reigning champions all the way before prevailing in a nerve-jangling shootout, thanks in part to a late own goal from Celtic’s Kasper Schmeichel that sent the match to penalties. The result etched Thelin’s name into Aberdeen folklore, making him only the sixth manager in the club’s 122-year history to lift the famous trophy.
That victory also secured European football for Aberdeen, as they qualified for the UEFA Conference League for the second time in three seasons. Yet, the demands of continental competition appeared to take their toll. The Dons struggled to juggle domestic and European commitments, managing just two points and failing to register a single win in the Conference League group stage. A particularly tough loss to Sparta Prague nearly saw Aberdeen finish bottom of their group, highlighting the challenges of balancing multiple fronts.
The start of the 2025/26 season offered little respite. Aberdeen’s league form faltered, with the team suffering four defeats in their last five games, including a 1-0 away loss to Falkirk on January 3, 2026. That defeat proved to be the final straw for the club’s board, who acted swiftly to relieve Thelin and his assistant, Christer Persson, of their duties. The Dons’ recent run also featured a 2-0 defeat to Hibernian, a 1-1 draw with Dundee United, and a 3-1 reverse against Celtic—results that left them two points adrift of Falkirk, who currently occupy the last top-six spot in the league.
In the wake of his dismissal, Thelin addressed the media with characteristic candor. Reflecting on his tenure, he remarked, “Today my time as manager at Aberdeen comes to an end. It is with great respect for this historic Club that I accept this decision. Results ultimately decide the tenure of this profession, and as such I take my share of responsibility. I believe wholly in the work that was done; however, football doesn’t always allow time for belief to become results. I would like to thank the players for their commitment and effort during my time as their coach, and the staff who worked every day with loyalty and pride. I would also like to thank the supporters. Your passion for your team never waivers, even in disappointment. Aberdeen will forever be a part of my journey, and it has been an honour to lead this great Club and share that memorable day together at Hampden. I leave wishing success to everyone involved both on and off the pitch.”
Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack was quick to pay tribute to Thelin’s impact, particularly the Scottish Cup triumph that ended a decades-long drought. In a statement released by the club, Cormack said, “In wishing Jimmy and Christer the very best for the future I want to thank them for delivering our first Scottish Cup win in 35 years last May. These memories will last a lifetime, and Jimmy will be forever etched into Aberdeen’s history for delivering such a special day for our supporters, as only one of six Aberdeen managers to win the Scottish Cup in our storied 122-year history. However, after significant investment in recent windows, we have not kicked on in the way we hoped or expected following that success. We have tried to give the situation as much time as possible, but recent performances have been significantly below the standards we expect, and we believe it is now right to take a different direction.”
The club also acknowledged that, despite the emotional weight of Thelin’s achievements, the decision was made in the best interests of Aberdeen’s future. The statement continued, “Following a club record-breaking start to life in the North-East, Jimmy led Aberdeen to Scottish Cup glory in May last year, followed by qualification for the UEFA Conference League for the second time in three seasons. However, the 2024/25 league campaign ultimately concluded with a fifth-place finish and, so far this season, both results and performances have fallen below the required standard and have not been commensurate with the level of investment made in the first-team squad and football operation.”
With Thelin and Persson departing, first-team coach Peter Leven has stepped in as interim manager, supported by Craig Hinchliffe and newly appointed Sporting Director Lutz Pfannenstiel. Pfannenstiel, who brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles across European football, will lead the search for Aberdeen’s next permanent manager—a process that the club insists will be thorough and focused on finding the right fit to guide the Dons through this transitional period.
The timing of Thelin’s exit has added another layer of intrigue to Aberdeen’s upcoming clash with Rangers. Danny Rohl and his staff have reportedly had to “rip up their scouting report” for the match, as the Dons’ tactical approach under interim boss Leven remains something of an unknown quantity. With both clubs striving to regain form—Aberdeen to climb out of mid-table obscurity, and Rangers to keep pace at the top—the stage is set for a compelling encounter at Ibrox.
For Aberdeen supporters, Thelin’s departure is bittersweet. His Scottish Cup success will be remembered as a high point in the club’s recent history, a day when the Dons defied the odds and claimed silverware against the might of Celtic. Yet, football is ultimately a results business, and the harsh reality of the modern game means even the most cherished memories can’t shield a manager from scrutiny when performances falter.
As the Dons embark on a new chapter under interim leadership, all eyes will be on the Pittodrie board and Sporting Director Pfannenstiel as they seek to identify a manager capable of building on Thelin’s legacy while restoring consistency and ambition to the Granite City club. The journey continues, and for Aberdeen, the next steps could prove decisive in shaping their fortunes for seasons to come.