Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Dons get set for manager’s exit
ABERDEEN directors are making plans for life after Derek McInnes following Sunderland’s approach for their manager.
English Championship Black Cats finally made their move for the Dons gaffer following more than two weeks of intense speculation about t heir interest.
Publicly, the Dons insisted it is business as usual at Pittodrie but directors met at the stadium to discuss their options to replace McInnes.
Chairman Stewart Milne stressed yesterday’s board meeting was not in response to Sunderland’s approach.
He said: “It was j ust a normal quarterly board meeting. There has no compensation agreement been made with Sunderland. That is all I can say.”
While the board would not comment further, a source insists directors have made arrangements to move quickly for a replacement should McInnes move on.
Aberdeen are demanding a seven-figure compensation fee from the Black Cats before they will allow McInnes to discuss a move to England but Sunderland chief executive Martin Bain, formerly of Rangers, is confident of reaching an agreement for McInnes and his Pittodrie assistant Tony Docherty.
The Dons manager returns from holiday today and has expressed an interest i n hearing what Sunderland have to say, prompting the Dons to look at potential suitors.
McInnes is keen to test himself in England again following a disappointing spell in his previous managerial role at Bristol City.
He was sacked in 2013 but has rebuilt his reputation with the Dons by leading the club to its first silverware in 19 years in 2014 courtesy of penalty shoot-out win against Caley in the League Cup Final.
The Reds have also finished second to Celtic in the league for the past three seasons and have qualified for the Europa League for the fourth year in a row.