Dons chairman felt McInnes decision was 50/50
Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne says he always felt it was ‘at least 50/50’ that Derek McInnes would choose to stay at Pittodrie.
The 45-year-old Dons boss had been interested in making the switch to Sunderland, but pulled out of the deal just as the Black Cats began to believe they were closing in on an appointment.
That turn of events has been seen as a major boon for the Dons, who have secured new major investment and hope to begin the process of building their own training ground and a new stadium.
Milne said: “I’ve built up a very close relationship with Derek over the last three or four years – we’ve been in constant dialogue over the last four or five days.
“I always felt it was at least 50/50 and I was obviously delighted that he phoned me and said that he was absolutely committed to the club.
“If he’d made a decision the other way it would have been a massive wrench for him to walk away.
“He has come to see Aberdeen Football Club as his.”
Milne says losing McInnes would have been a ‘massive blow’ and added that Scottish football will be stronger for his decision.
He told STV: “I think it’s a very positive thing, not just for Aberdeen – I think it’s a fantastic thing for us – but I think it sends out a very positive message to the rest of Scottish football.
“Having guys like Brendan Rodgers and Derek in Scottish football is a massive thing. If we can, along with Celtic and Rangers, start making some inroads back into Europe again then I think we’re starting to rebuild the profile of Scottish football.”
On McInnes, he added: “It (his departure) would’ve been a massive blow for the club.
“It’s not just what he’s done on the park over the last four years, he’s helped us rebuild the whole operation around the football side.
“He’s brought a great deal, in almost every aspect of the club, over the last four years that the whole atmosphere throughout the club we’ve been able to lift. Derek has played a big, big part in that.”
Aberdeen will now focus on Monday’s draw for the Europa League, with the Pittodrie side entering at the second qualifying round stage. They have won through two rounds in each of the last three seasons.