The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Thelin vowing to take Aberdeen to ‘top level’ after being named boss
New Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has vowed to build a team that captures the hearts of the supporters and delivers success. The 46-year-old says he is also determined to take the Dons to the “top level”.
And Pittodrie chairman Dave Cormack says he is ready to give Thelin the time and backing to deliver on those targets.
The Dons have appointed Thelin as their new permanent manager, with the Swede set to start at Pittodrie on June 3.
Thelin, along with assistants Christer Persson and Emir Bajrami, will leave their current roles at Allsvenskan side IF Elfsborg this summer.
Current interim manager Peter Leven will continue to lead the firstteam squad until the end of the campaign.
Leven will then be part of Thelin’s team as an assistant first-team coach.
Thelin, who was contracted to Elfsborg until the end of the 2026 Swedish campaign, led the club to a secondplaced finish in the Swedish top flight last season.
He said: “I am very honoured to be the new Aberdeen manager and to be coming to this great club and city.
“I wanted to be sure I was making the right step in my career, particularly as this will be my first time managing outside of Sweden.
“At Elfsborg we took a provincial club to compete at the top level and it is our intention to achieve the same at Aberdeen.
“The feeling I have about what I have seen at the club, the staff and the facilities was all very impressive.
“The vision, effort and support offered by Dave (Cormack), Alan (Burrows) and Steven (Gunn) have also convinced me it is a great opportunity for me and the club.
“I can promise the fans we will be striving to build and a develop a team that captures the hearts of the supporters and delivers success on the pitch.”
Thelin impressed when interviewed for the job last year but lost out to Barry Robson for the position.
Aberdeen resurrected their interest when Robson was axed in late January but Thelin was reluctant to leave Elfsborg at the start of the Swedish season.
The Dons refused to give up their hunt of Thelin and that perseverance paid off.
Chairman Cormack says he understands it will take Thelin time to build “something special” at Pittodrie and is willing to give him that.
He said: “From our point of view, we want this appointment to anchor the club for years to come and to work with Jimmy and his coaching staff to create something special at Aberdeen.”