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Aberdeen confirm Derek McInnes will replace Craig Brown as boss

By Heather DewarBBC Scotland

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments178

New Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes

Derek McInnes says he will target silverware after being appointed as Aberdeen's new manager.

The 41-year-old, who was sacked as Bristol City boss in January, will succeed

McInnes and his assistant Tony Docherty have agreed deals until 2015.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to be given the opportunity to manage a club of the stature of Aberdeen," said McInnes.

Brown, 72, had planned to vacate the dug-out at the end of the season but said he would step aside earlier if the Dons could find an available replacement.

The former Scotland boss and his number two Archie Knox will oversee the next two matches, with McInnes taking over once the Scottish Premier League splits into two halves for the season's climax.

Ninth-placed Aberdeen, who are two points off the top six, host Hearts on Saturday before playing Dundee United at Tannadice.

"Craig and Archie also spoke with Derek to establish the most appropriate timing for a handover of duties," revealed chairman Stewart Milne.

"All agreed that bringing them in now would enable the incoming management team to have time to familiarise themselves with their new club, while Craig and Archie continue with their preparations over the next two games for a final push towards a top-six SPL position."

McInnes will use the next fortnight to familiarise himself with the personnel at Pittodrie.

"In tandem with trying to finish the current campaign in as high a league position as possible, I will also of course be assessing the squad with next season in mind," he said.

"There is so much to do, so many opportunities and I'm really looking forward to get started.

"Having been given an outline of the club's vision of the future I can clearly see the ambition here.

"And I can assure, fans, players, sponsors and everyone associated with Aberdeen Football Club that I will do everything within my power to build a team that will entertain the fans and, more importantly, bring long-awaited success back to this great club."

After beginning his management career at St Johnstone, where he finished his playing career, McInnes led the Saints to First Division title success and promotion to the SPL.

He joined Bristol City in 2011 and kept them in the Championship at the end of last season.

However, a run of poor results led to the former Rangers, Toulouse and West Brom midfielder being sacked in January.

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178 comments

  • Comment posted by theterribleonion, at 13:32 23 Mar 2013

    Great to see Aberdeen 'fans' writing him off already. He is not even appointed yet and folk are using words like "failed" and "Mediocrity". Newsflash- Mouriniho and Capello turned down the role as they couldn't live up to the achievments of Brown, Mcghee, Calderwood, paterson, Skovdhal, Miller, Aitken or Alex Miller.
    He is possibly the best we can hope for and afford. Get real.

  • Comment posted by Obi Wan Kenobi Nil, at 12:36 25 Mar 2013

    Is it possible to read a comments section on the BBC without an old firm debate raging on? I'm a Rangers fan and find it boring reading the same hashed out comments from page to page. Who cares if he was an ex Rangers player really? Back to the point McInnes is the right choice for Aberdeen, a much smarter appointment that Adams would have been even though he is doing great things at County

  • Comment posted by U14431877, at 11:50 25 Mar 2013

    @140

    What a mediocre comment.

  • Comment posted by finlayct, at 13:11 23 Mar 2013

    To Aberdeen fans demanding a higher profile appointment, McInnes is a really astute young manager and I guarantee you'll be better under him than you would have been under Adams. He's a good manager, be happy. From a St Johnstone fan.

  • Comment posted by I dont like it so I change the law, at 19:06 24 Mar 2013

    Is this thread not about the appointment of a new manager at Aberdeen? The former rivalry between the old Glasgow Rangers and Celtic is of no interest. Lets hope McInnes gets a fair crack of the whip from both the board and the fans.

  • Comment posted by U5220469, at 18:59 24 Mar 2013

    @ 121 benjic "loads celtic fans hate rangers but not for religious reasons, not convinced about the opposite way though"

    Both sides have bigots who hate the other side for religious reasons & both sides have normal supporters who hate the other side because they are their fiercest football rivals, however your refusal to see this is pointing to the fact that it is you that is the blinded bigot.

  • Comment posted by U15644067, at 13:33 25 Mar 2013

    Seriously!! It sometimes beggars belief why people like you bother commenting! Hahaha. John Collins indeed. I am happy with this appointment, I think it is a step in the right direction and is what we needed, a young manager who has had a bit of success himself so far too. Good luck Deek, I hope you prove the doubters wrong. As for the rankgers association, give it up.. they died last year.

  • Comment posted by U14431877, at 11:18 25 Mar 2013

    @126 I remember as do most fans who dont have green tinted glasses on that Celtic were so far behind in one season when Strachan was in charge and you all wanted him out the door. And the Aberdeen connection was cited but unbelievably that season you came back and won the league. But OF fans are always right and it is ridiculous that a mere mortal like me has the audacity to challenge that belief.

  • Comment posted by U15554615, at 09:41 25 Mar 2013

    Celtic fan who comes in peace. It is simply wrong to believe that Celtic fans never took to Strachan. A vocal minority objected, the thinking majority accepted, appreciated and retain a strong affection for him.

    I hope McInnes does great at Aberdeen. Scotland is crying out for a challenge from the reds. It has been far too long, not that you need reminded.

  • Comment posted by RonnieP, at 17:14 25 Mar 2013

    dons83
    Maybe a mediocre comment, but as the results of the last 3 decades prove, true!!!! Wake up and smell the coffee. Stop reminicing about 1983.
    Aberdeen have underacheived ever since Mr Milne took over as Chairman.
    Everyone in Scotland can see this, apart from blinkered Aberdeen fans.
    Nothing will change as long as the existing ownership of the club remains.

  • Comment posted by U15644067, at 14:17 25 Mar 2013

    Well, you are either a fan of one of the bigot twins who don't like to remember that we have won 2 Euro trophies to their one each (although, the blue side now have no trophies or history to there new Sevco name) or you support an EPL club in which case we aren't really interested in your opinion of our club.

  • Comment posted by branded, at 13:31 25 Mar 2013

    More on the new appointment...
    http://www.afc.co.uk/articles/20130325/dons-confirm-mcinnes-and-docherty_2212158_3121066
    Good timing from all involved. Cheaper tickets made avaliable for next home game against Hearts where players will no doubt up there game so as to not lose their jobs at the end of the season! After split McInnes has plenty of time to make changes for next season.

  • Comment posted by U15606724, at 17:03 24 Mar 2013

    I think it's a great appointment for the Dons. It's obvious the club don't have a lot of disposable cash so it was always going to be a manager that can utilise resources to there full potential and Derek is that man. I think there's a real chance of 2nd or 3rd place in next seasons league. Not a Dons fan but I'm a fan of Derek and I'm sure all supporters will warm to him as the club improve.

  • Comment posted by U14747216, at 16:12 24 Mar 2013

    #110
    Agree with you on the point made regarding McInnes' allegiances.

    Eck was shown the door at Ibrox because of results. Nothing to do with Aberdeen. Eck is a Rangers-man.

    Strachan left Celtic because he reached the end of his team's shelf-life after an emotional season and he wanted a break from the Goldfish-bowl. Terrific manager for Celtic. Nothing to do with Aberdeen. GS is a Hibee.

  • Comment posted by CupcakeMckay, at 14:25 24 Mar 2013

    Armchair Alcy, you talk a lot of sense, but that toaster gag is so old and irrelevant now it's got feathers on it.

    I'm glad the board cut back on the spending when they did, toaster and all. Rather that than AFC going out of business due to rash overspending, like one or 2 others.

  • Comment posted by James Paterson, at 11:52 24 Mar 2013

    Well done Aberdeen. A good young manager who has shown great promise. I watched a few Bristol City games on the box and they played some great football but did not get the rewards they deserved. Now all he needs is an owner and board that realise to build a team the manager needs money even in our league.

  • Comment posted by U14431877, at 10:54 24 Mar 2013

    Having chewed on this overnight I am now quite excited about this appointment, however, we have to give him time though. We cannot expect a manager to be 100% committed to our club if we don't give 100% commitment in return. So come on all Dons fans out there lets get behind him and give him our full support.
    COYR

  • Comment posted by U15645811, at 22:08 23 Mar 2013

    Hope he does well, but the fact he signed Richard Foster for Bristol City is a major concern.

  • Comment posted by U14761285, at 21:57 23 Mar 2013

    St. Johnstone scored just 23 goals in the 2010-11 season. For an Aberdeen team not known for scoring many goals, that is a worrying statistic for us. I'm not expecting much from McInnes' appointment...

  • Comment posted by U15658626, at 16:56 23 Mar 2013

    re 1. gladstone:

    keithf 12Jan13
    "He had 12 mths & we're in a worse position than we were this time last year. He's let go players who're doing well at other clubs. One he allowed escape last year because "Chris Wood is not the type of player we are looking for" came back today & put 3 past us. Great judgement! He's changed the team almost every match, win or lose. He had his chance: he blew it."

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