Aberdeen appoint new manager

Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen appoint their new manager following the departure of Derek McInnes which came on the 8th of March.

Former Dons midfielder Stephen Glass is set to return to the club as their new manager, with Celtic captain Scott Brown favourite to be named as his assistant.

Glass has previously played for Hibernian, Watford and Premier League outfit Newcastle, and is expected to leave his role as head coach of Atlanta United’s reserve side in the United States.

🔴 We are delighted to confirm Stephen Glass as the new manager of Aberdeen Football Club.#StandFree

— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) March 23, 2021

CLUB STATEMENT

Aberdeen have been on the look out for a new coaching team since manager Derek McInnes and his assistant Tony Docherty left the club earlier this month.

Glass is still in the US, though could be in charge for the remaining five games of Aberdeen’s league campaign as well as the Scottish Cup, with the assumption he he arrives in Scotland in time to complete a quarantine period.

The 44-year-old is understood to have been earmarked for a return to the club he once played in the 1990s since they agreed their strategic partnership with his current club Atlanta.

The MLS side’s president, Darren Eales also sits on Aberdeen’s board, while the club’s chairman, Dave Cormack, is based in Atlanta.

Glass could be joined at Pittodrie with Scott Brown, who he played with at Hibernian, it would end the midfielder’s trophy-laden, 14-year spell with Celtic.

He has earned himself many honours including 10 Scottish Premiership titles, six Scottish Cups and six Scottish League Cups at Parkhead since arriving from Hibernian in 2007.

Last week, Celtic interim manager John Kennedy said Brown will decide on his future at the end of the season which is when his contract is up.

In February, Brown, 35, dismissed the idea of moving into coaching in the near future, saying: “I am still too young for that.”

Aberdeen are currently fourth in the Scottish Premiership, seven points behind third-placed Hibs.

Sky Sports News reporter Charles Paterson says: “This is not a surprise. Derek McInnes left Aberdeen two weeks ago but Stephen Glass’ name had been mentioned to me even before McInnes had departed. McInnes was set to probably leave in the summer but that was accelerated by Aberdeen’s poor results.

“Atlanta United and Aberdeen have got a strategic partnership and Dave Cormack, the Aberdeen chairman, is based in Atlanta. He knows Glass very well indeed.

“In Aberdeen, the rumours have been rife for months – that Stephen Glass could be returning to the club that he played for in the 1990s. He won the League Cup with them as a player. This is a homecoming for Glass, and I’m told that he was the outstanding candidate for the job from the moment it was clear McInnes would be leaving.

“Scott Brown wants to get into coaching. He’s done coaching badges, he’s been involved with the youth teams at Celtic.

“Glass and Brown played together at Hibernian at the start of Brown’s career. Nothing has been confirmed but Brown has been tipped to join Glass ever since the news broke that McInnes was leaving Aberdeen.

“Given the uncertainty at Celtic about who’s going to be the new head coach and if there’s going to be a restructure, it would make sense for Brown to want to make a decision on his own future.

“He is the favourite to join Glass on the coaching staff – and perhaps play – at Pittodrie.”

GLASS’ CAREER:

Youth career
1992–1994 – Aberdeen

Senior career
1994–1998 – Aberdeen – 112 games (8 goals)
1994–1995 → Crombie Sports (loan) – 27 games (1 goal)
1998–2001 – Newcastle United – 42 games (7 goals)
2001–2003 – Watford – 74 games (4 goals)
2003–2007 – Hibernian – 86 games (3 goals)
2007–2010 – Dunfermline Athletic – 58 games (6 goals)
2010–2011 – Carolina RailHawks

National team
1995–1997 – Scotland U21
1996–2003 – Scotland B
1998 – Scotland

Teams managed
2012–2014 – Shamrock Rovers (assistant)
2017–2020 – Atlanta United 2
2020 – Atlanta United FC (interim)
2020– Atlanta United 2

Fans reacted with Aberdeen set to appoint an ex-Newcastle, Watford, Hibs player as their new manager…

@CallumAUFC: Sad to see Scott Brown tarnish his record and not finish his career as a one club man.

@scottl1872: Aye its a shame he can’t erase 15 years of his career and go back to Hibs..

@JamieBriody: Hope Glass does a smashing job

@DiscussDandies: One thing I will say about Stephen Glass is that his recruitment will likely be far more interesting than McInnes’ was. Whether that’s for better or for worse is yet to be seen. Still intrigued whether he’s announced as a “head coach” or “manager”.

@Trigger__87: I think brown is a great addition to have in the coaching and playing staff, he’s a winner. Don’t know much about Glass in terms of coaching and management.

@AB10_d: We’ve already got enough ‘winners’ in our back room staff that are hopeless at producing good players, good football and results.

@ConalGTracey: I’m really intrigued by the potential appointment of Stephen Glass. Obviously the Atlanta-Aberdeen link is the key factor but Cormack could be playing a blinder here. Brown starting his coaching career away from Celtic is a good move but I’m glad he’ll still be kicking a ball.

@RobSimpson76: Start with – if it does happen in the next 48 hours 🟥⬜️🟥 Excited to see what Stephen Glass can do at Aberdeen – there will be ££ available, new manager + new team 2021/22. Scott Brown coming in is the icing on the cake – leader, winner and will stand for nothing less than 💯

@utd_adam_: I’m not even exaggerating when I say that a Stephen Glass and Scott Brown duo would make me want to cease existing

@ES1903_: Stephen Glass i could just about support if it wasn’t for scott brown

@AndrewTurley10: Looks like Scott Brown is off ski then to join the Aberdeen staff with Stephen Glass. To Celtic fans, the guy is a legend and to Rangers fans a pain in the arse lol but credit to him for his gesture with Kamara at the weekend and he went up in my estimations after that

@deektrucker73: Stephen Glass record as manager doesn’t make for inspiring reading. I’m actually alright about Scott brown coming. Sure he’s a c**t but he’s a winner and exactly what we need right now .

@50sEKBOY: Broony should be staying @CelticFC & gradually move into coaching. If all goes well, when he hangs up his boots & we have B Team in lower Leagues, put him in complete charge, then move to 1st Team when it’s time. It’s his body that isn’t as young, not his football brain.

@Danielhiggins11: I’m all for Scott brown coming to Aberdeen, winning mentality etc can’t be a bad thing for what we have just now. Stephen glass though,what a borefest hire your yank best mate appointment

@ChuckDeNomolos: Glass I’ve an open mind on. Brown I don’t want anywhere near our club.

@ClaireAllinson1: It’s so left field that it might actually work…….

@MacDJ1985: I can see them dropping down a few places, maybe even struggling for top 6 – relatively unproven manager/assistant with a squad full of ageing players

@andyhmurray: I am not at all convinced Stephen Glass will be a good Aberdeen manager… but I am 100% here for the sheer CHAOS of the King of Scottish Football, Scott Brown, as assistant manager. FIRED UP.

@kermit2601: I’m coming round to the idea of Brown. Just not with Glass. Nowhere near enough experience. Brown with an experienced manager or Glass with an experienced assistant. Not both.

“Thorough process” Cormack checking non Stephen Glass CVs pic.twitter.com/GmLpuiVqAD

— Glen Schreuder (@schreuder92) March 23, 2021