McLeish will not enter race for Pittodrie hotseat

PITTODRIE legend Alex McLeish will not put himself forward to replace Derek McInnes as Aberdeen manager.

The 62-year-old Gothenburg Great is one of the early potential contenders linked with the vacant managerial position at the Dons.

However, it is understood former Scotland, Birmingham and Rangers boss McLeish will not put his hat in the ring to manage Aberdeen.

Pittodrie chairman Dave Cormack is hunting for a new manager after McInnes’s eight-year tenure in charge came to an end.

Following a meeting between US-based Cormack and McInnes on Monday, the decision was taken for the 49-year-old to exit the club.

In a stellar career at Pittodrie, McLeish won three league titles, five Scottish Cups and two League Cups.

He also lifted the European Cup Winners’ Cup and European Super Cup with the Reds in 1983.

McLeish is currently available, having left the Scotland managerial post in April 2019.

During his managerial career McLeish led Rangers to two league titles, two Scottish Cups and three League Cups.

He had previously steered Motherwell to a runners-up finish in the top flight in 1995.

McLeish then led Hibs to the First Division (now Championship) title in 1999 and the Scottish Cup final in 2001 before moving to Rangers.

He also enjoyed success in England when leading Birmingham City to League Cup glory in the 2010-11 season.

The Dons have confirmed an interim team, led by Paul Sheerin and supported by Barry Robson and Neil Simpson, will manage the team for the rest of the season in the bid to secure third place and the Scottish Cup.

Cormack has confirmed the Dons have started the hunt for McInnes’ replacement and have a “clear timetable” in place.

While McLeish will not enter the reckoning, other potential candidates include another former Aberdeen star, Stephen Glass.

The former Dons winger is now manager at Atlanta United 2 in the US.

Glass was interim manager of Atlanta’s first team last season, then returned to his role with the second string when Gabriel Heinze was appointed manager in January.

Another potential candidate is Neil Lennon, now available having left Celtic last month.

Former Don Derek Adams has also been mentioned.

He is currently manager at Morecambe who are pushing for the League Two title.

When he took over Morecambe they were bottom of League Two.

St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin is also a potential target, although the 39-year-old recently signed a three-year contract extension until summer 2024.

Former Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson is currently available, having left the Steelmen in December last year.

Robinson led ’Well to both domestic cup finals in the 2017-18 season, but the Fir Park club lost out to Celtic in both showpieces.

Former Scotland manager Alex McLeish.