McInnes a tough act to follow, says legend Miller
ABERDEEN legend Willie Miller insists finding a manager who can bring success to Pittodrie will be a big challenge for chairman Dave Cormack.
The Dons are searching for their first new manager in eight years after Derek McInnes and assistant Tony Docherty departed the club on Monday after a run of two wins in 13 games.
Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon, ex-Aberdeen player Stephen Glass, St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin and former Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson are among those to have been linked with the job.
In McInnes’ seven full seasons in charge, Aberdeen never finished out of the top four, with the former Rangers midfielder even masterminding four successive runners-up places. Aberdeen also won the League Cup in March 2014 and reached three other domestic cup finals.
And club legend Miller believes identifying a manager who can better McInnes’s record is a daunting task. Miller said: “It’s Dave Cormack’s call now, him and the board of directors have to go through the process of trying to filter out the names and employ the right man to do the job that they want him to do. And that’s to bring success to Aberdeen, to play expansive football and to win trophies – and I wish them every success because, I tell you what, it’s not an easy task.
“The new man coming in has obvious targets to meet and the least that will be expected of him in the league will be to finish third and possibly to lift a trophy quite swiftly, as Derek McInnes did in his first season at the club.”
Asked about Lennon and others who have been linked with the post, Miller added: “You’ve got a very experienced manager in Neil Lennon. Stephen Robinson did a fine job at Motherwell. There would probably be another dozen names you could throw at it and I would not be surprised if the chairman went left field.”
AL KELLOCK, Glasgow’s captain when they won the then PRO12 in 2015, is to return to the Warriors next month as managing director. He will take over from Nathan Bombrys, who after ten years in the job is moving to a new post as Scottish Rugby’s head of international commercial developments.
“Glasgow Warriors has been a significant part of my life so far and I am incredibly honoured to have been asked to return as managing director,” said Kellock, 39, who since retiring from playing six years ago has worked for Scottish Rugby in commercial and ambassadorial roles.
“We have an incredibly passionate group of supporters, active and strong partners, and an on and off field team who all want to drive the club forward, and I am excited about adding to that journey.
“It has been a challenging year for everyone: the role Glasgow Warriors will play as we return to normality will be very important. When we are able, I very much look forward to welcoming our fans back to Scotstoun to cheer the team on and also to when our players and staff can get back out engaging within the community.”
Bombrys said of his decision to leave the club: “Glasgow Warriors is such a special club,” he said. “I’ve been privileged to play my part over the past ten years, working with so many talented staff, coaches and players to see the club grow into one of the top clubs in Europe.
“I want to see the club continue to grow from strength to strength. I am confident that in Al Kellock we have a new leader who will do just that and take the club to even greater heights.”