Swede sensation is inspiration for manager Thelin
Jimmy Thelin points to Mjallby AIF’s recent fairytale league title triumph back home in Sweden for believing Aberdeen and others can challenge the Old Firm’s dominance as Scottish Champions.
The Dons manager has already ended the club’s 35-year wait for an eighth Scottish Cup final success, but the ultimate achievement would be a fifth league title.
It’s 40 years since the fourth, and no team other than Rangers or Celtic have landed Scotland’s top prize since, although Hearts travel to Pittodrie today with their chances of changing that still intact.
The problem is Thelin’s Aberdeen were in a similar situation 12 months ago, entering the November international break level with Celtic at the top of the table.
What’s happened since has been a sobering experience for their Swedish manager, with just eight league wins in the 38 league matches.
That form already rules out any credible title challenge for this season but Thelin, who only missed out on winning the Allsvenskan on goal difference with Elfsborg, can still take inspiration from his homeland.
Mjallby AIF from the tiny fishing village of Hallevik, population 1,485, outshone Sweden’s big-hitters like Malmo, AIK and Djurgarden.
Thelin said:“Yes, it’s been a long time (since a non-Old Firm winner), but things can always happen in football.
“You had Leicester City some years ago in Premier League and you have Mjallby this year in Sweden.
“No one expected that and I’m so impressed with what they have done as it is massive for them coming from a village almost and with their budget.
“They have done really well for some years now recruiting young players, selling players and invested really well.
“Football evolves, the clubs evolve and you have to have the belief that it can happen. It’s difficult, but it can happen.
“You have to have these visions, dreams and ambitions otherwise there’s no way of growing.”
That’s a belief shared by Aberdeen’s new sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel, especially given Hearts current position, but Aberdeen found out how fragile that can be last November.
Especially as the Jambos have failed to win in 13 previous visits to Pittodrie since May 2016.
But, despite Aberdeen’s dismal league form in the last 12 months, the German is convinced Thelin will have them back challenging at the top again soon.
He said: “I think we’re all aware that the start of the season was not great – the expectations are much higher.
“But you have to trust the process and then it’s improving step by step.”
Wins today, and at home to Armenia’s Noah FC in Thursday night’s Europa Conference League, would certainly be a positive indication of that.