Thelin made Elfsborg into title contenders

Aberdeen-linked manager Jimmy Thelin has revolutionised Swedish side IF Elfsborg – so we got the lowdown on the “very, very popular” boss.

Thelin (pronounced “Teh-lean”) is understood to have admirers inside Pittodrie, as Dons chiefs try to conclude their hunt for a new permanent manager during the upcoming international break.

Having previously led Jonkopings Sodra to the Swedish second-tier title and promotion, 46-year-old Thelin has been at Elfsborg since 2018.

Based in the southwestern Swedish city of Boras, Elsfborg were a mid-table side when Thelin took over.

But he has since led them to two Allsvenskan runners-up finishes – in 2020 and 2023 – missing out on the title last year to Malmo on goal difference.

Johan Ryden, a sports writer for Boras Tidning, covers Elfsborg, and detailed Thelin’s reign, including his tactics and recruitment and whether he thinks a move to Aberdeen is likely.

He said: “Elfsborg’s strengths are really strong pressing and taking the ball (back) high up in the pitch.

“If they don’t, they fall back and play low defence and have very fast and good counter-attacks. The opposition in the Allsvenskan are really afraid of Elfsborg’s counter-attacks.

“He’s not locked in – when Elfsborg are pressing it looks more like (a) 4-4-2 now, but when they are attacking, it’s definitely 4-2-3-1.

“He’s good at doing adjustments with the players he’s got and tries to adjust to get the most out of the group he’s coaching.”

Elfsborg’s consistency in recent seasons under Thelin, including securing another European qualification in the 2023 Allsvenskan campaign, has been achieved despite the player turnover which tends to come from success.

Ryden insists Thelin is very much the “architect” of Elfsborg’s strategy.

He said: “Like I said, they use four wingers in every game. They have two really good wingers who are ready to move to foreign clubs that are number one and number two (choice).

“Three and four are a little bit younger but give them one year or one-and-a-half and they will be our next stars.

“The players know if you are bought to be fourth choice in centre-defence, your time will come – just work, learn how to play (the role) and then you’ll get your chance.

“There is a CEO, Stefan Andreasson, who has been a sporting director before, and he is doing a big job – I think Jimmy Thelin is pointing: ‘I want that player’, and Stefan Andreasson is making it happen. That’s their structure.”

Despite their interest in him, it remains to be seen if Aberdeen will seek – or be granted – permission to speak to Thelin, above, about their manager vacancy.

Ryden has doubts about whether Aberdeen suits Thelin – and whether Thelin suits Aberdeen at this moment in time.

Sweden is one of the European countries where the football season runs from spring to winter, and as such, the new 2024 season is just a couple of weeks from starting.

Thelin only recently signed a deal to stay at Elfsborg in his homeland for three more seasons, or until Christmas 2026.

Johan said: “I don’t think he will leave Elfsborg at this moment.

“We were a little bit worried at Christmas time when he was connected with Swansea (City) and Sunderland, and some Belgian teams.

“But when he stayed and signed a new contract, we thought he’ll at least stay for this season.

“You never know in this world – but we would be surprised if he left now.”