The Dons belong in Europe – and Goodwin aims to get them there
As a player, Jim Goodwin spent more time battling relegation than chasing his dream of playing in Europe.
But it is an ambition he now hopes to fulfil in the dugout as Aberdeen manager.
Although the Dons missed out on European qualification last season following a dismal campaign, they will be aiming to return to UEFA competition next summer.
Goodwin spent last week at the club’s pre-season training camp in Spain, with new signings Anthony Stewart, Liam Scales, Jayden Richardson, Kelle Roos and Bojan Miovski all bedding in.
He may have started his career at Celtic, but he made only one appearance for the Glasgow club, who have a storied European history.
Spells with Scunthorpe United, Huddersfield Town, Oldham Athletic, Hamilton Accies, St Mirren and Alloa Athletic were hardly going to give him the platform to fulfil his ambition of testing himself in Europe.
However, having spent close to £1-million this summer rebuilding the first-team squad at Pittodrie, top three will be the target this season, and Goodwin has personal motivation when it comes to taking the club back into Europe.
Asked if it was an ambition of his to manage in Continental competition, he said: “Without a doubt, yes. Apart from on the international front when I was younger playing with Ireland, I have never had that experience.
“All the clubs I played for were relegation contenders, so at the wrong end of the table for that kind of thing.
“I would love to be there, and we have brought in players who have that pedigree, and have done it already.
“Liam Scales has done it playing for Dundalk and with Celtic. Jonny
Hayes has been there in amongst it.
“Lewis Ferguson is a senior international, so we have boys in the group who have that experience, and are used to playing at the highest level.
“The rest of us would certainly like a taste of it, there’s no doubt about it
“It would have been tough this season being involved in Europe because of the turnaround of players we have had.
“Hopefully next season, when we do get there, we will be far better prepared for it.
“And we won’t have this situation of having to replace a dozen players. It will be four or five.”
Goodwin, who has only previously managed Alloa Athletic and St Mirren, has enjoyed having a budget to play with in the window.
He said: “I have spoken openly about the resources that we have available to us.
“When I was at St Mirren, I always had the excuse of us punching above our weight.
“It was almost a bit of a comfort blanket.
“We probably had the second or third-lowest budget in the league, but we were always finishing a little bit higher than that, which was great.
“We have a budget now on a par with Hearts and Hibs, and we should be competing with them for third place – at a minimum.
“No doubt Robbie Neilson and Lee Johnson will be saying the same thing: ‘How do we force our way in to impact upon the Old Firm?’.
“That has to be the next step. But, look, we finished 10th in the league last year, so me talking about chasing down Celtic and Rangers right now is a little bit naive, I would suggest.
“We want to be competing for Europe. The club is used to it.
“The club had a real blip last season, but in previous seasons they have been in Europe.
“And that’s where I need to get them back to.”