DEL SNUBS BLACK CATS DEAL
McInnes stays with Dons
DEREK McINNES last night walked away from a £1.5million jackpot at Sunderland to stay with Aberdeen. The 45-year-old boss opted to turn down the cash and remain at Pittodrie with trusted No.2 Tony Docherty. McInnes endured 24 hours of soul-searching in Florida after holding talks with Stadium of Light chief executive Martin Bain.
Record Sport understands he was offered a massive £1m salary to take charge of the English Championship
outfit. In addition McInnes would have landed a bonus of around £500,000 had he led the Wearsiders back to the top flight at the first time of asking.
The Dons gaffer said: “I have ambitions in the game and, while there was interest from elsewhere and I did talk to Sunderland, I feel there is so much still to be done here at Aberdeen.
“While we have lost players from last season they will be replaced by signings of similar quality and our first challenge is to reach the group stages of the Europa League after coming so close in each of the last three seasons.
“Since the first day I arrived at Pittodrie my biggest gripe has been the lack of training facilities and with progress at last on that front it’s something I am keen to see through to its conclusion.
“The delivery of these training and community facilities are vital for helping retain our top players, attracting new players to the club, the development of our young players and, equally importantly, enable us to play a far greater role in the wider community.
“I sincerely hope everyone across the region can pull together to help develop these facilities.
“The recent investment in the club from Dave Cormack, who has rejoined the board, now puts us in an even healthier situation financially and that’ll allow us to be in a position to take the club to the next stage.
“We have improved season on season and that isn’t something I’m planning on changing.”
Record Sport understands concerns over the situation at Sunderland made up McInnes’s mind to remain in the Granite City.
With owner Ellis Short desperate to sell up and move on McInnes was aware he could’ve taken the job only to find himself immediately working under new owners who in turn may have wanted their own management team.
McInnes also faced the prospect of launching a successful promotion bid with limited funds while also having to trim a huge squad full of players on massive contracts.
His decision to stay is another huge boost to the Dons with former chief executive Cormack ready to invest several million in the club by buying shares.
Thrilled chairman Stewart Milne said: “I am absolutely delighted that Derek and Tony have agreed to stay and I have never doubted their commitment to the club.
“Given what Derek has achieved here there is inevitably going to be interest from other clubs and in making the decision to stay he has demonstrated how much Aberdeen FC means to him.
“It is now up to all of us, the board, staff, players and supporters to show how much we appreciate having him at the helm by getting right behind him in every way possible.
“I make no bones about it, it would have been a massive blow to lose Derek at this time.
“Not only ahead of the new season but knowing that so much more can be achieved with him driving the club forward.
“Derek isn’t only ambitious for himself, he has ambitions for the club and we are all on the same page as to what we would like to achieve.
“We are in the process of rebuilding a strong squad to ensure we continue our on-field progress. We need to deliver the new training and community facilities and the new stadium.
“I’ve built up an extremely strong relationship with Derek and that has been very important through this current challenging time.
“I’m convinced that by continuing to work closely our relationship will go from strength to strength.”