‘Amazing guy Ebbe was one of life’s characters’

Former Aberdeen manager Ebbe Skovdahl was remembered as “one of life’s real characters” following his death at the age of 75.

The Dane, who managed the Dons from 1999 to 2002, died after battling cancer for several years.

The former Brondby and Benfica manager, pictured, guided the Dons to two cup finals in his first season at the helm.

Former Aberdeen chairman Stewart

Milne paid tribute to the popular former Dons boss.

He said: “Ebbe was an amazing guy, one of life’s real characters, with a very relaxed attitude.

“Nothing fazed him and he will undoubtedly be fondly remembered for waxing lyrical at press conferences.

“No Dons fan will ever forget when he likened statistics to mini- skirts – they give you good ideas but hide the most interesting thing!

“His dry wit and laidback approach made him an instant hit with Dons fans and he enjoyed a loyal following, despite the ups and downs of the team during his time in charge.

“He had achieved considerable success with Brondby – a club which, at the time, shared many similarities with Aberdeen. Our hope was that he would replicate that success with AFC. Unfortunately, that same success eluded him at AFC but he will be forever remembered for getting us to two c up finals in the same year in 2000.

“Ebbe was great to work with and, during his time in Aberdeen, I was fortunate enough to become good friends with him and his wife. I was therefore deeply saddened to hear of his passing and my thoughts are with his family.”

Skovdahl guided the Dons to a fourth- place finish in the 2001-02 season but resigned in December 2002 after a poor start to the campaign.

Aberdeen manager Derek

McInnes said: “It is a sad day. He left his mark on the club.

“He was a huge figure and very popular amongst a lot of the staff here.

“It is a sad day for his family and the club.

“I was quite shocked when I heard. I didn’t know he was in ill health.

“I can only talk from what people have said who knew him a lot better than I did.

“I never met him but a lot of the stories and the affection towards him carries on.

“Plenty people come into clubs and they don’t always have that positive impact.

“Having spoken to a lot of staff and people within the club who had worked with him for a period of time, there was certainly a lot of goodwill towards him.

“For people who had that association with him and got to know him better, I’m sure it is a sad day.

“But he left his mark and people think fondly of him and his association with the club.”