The Dons are seeking a manager with a strong connection to Scottish football and are in no rush to make an appointment. Thelin was sacked on Sunday after a disappointing run that left Aberdeen eighth in the Premiership, despite winning the Scottish Cup last season – their first since 1990.
Speaking to the press, Pfannenstiel said: “There are definitely some big names, there are some surprising names, there are some terrible names. There are all nationalities. It shows how crazy the world of football has developed. But we have a clear profile. We have a clear idea how the next manager should look. I always say the connection to Scottish football is really important. Knowing the Scottish league is really important.”
Pfannenstiel outlined the qualities he is looking for in Aberdeen’s next boss, emphasising both technical and personal attributes: “The playing style, the DNA is super-important for us. How do we want to play football? How do we see ourselves? And I think the manager needs to reflect that into perfection. We want a high-pressing, hard-working, high-intensity team. And that’s also the way you coach, the way you prepare the teams.”
He continued: “He needs to be definitely hard-working. He needs to have a clear identity in how we play football. But he also needs to reflect a certain emotion and a certain fire, which I think is extremely important to get this team going. So the mix between tactical, technical, playing style, identity, but also the character and the personality must be the total package.”
Peter Leven remains in interim charge, and Pfannenstiel is confident in his abilities: “There are good coaches out there. But we just don’t want to get too stressed right now and run into the wrong decision. I don’t want to put a time frame on it at all. It could be six days, it could be six weeks, it could be six months. We want to make a very thoughtful decision. And having that quick shot right now because everybody asks for it, to find an immediate solution, I don’t think that will be very well thought through.”
Pfannenstiel added: “If it takes some more time, I have full belief and full trust in Peter Leven, like he did it before as an interim manager and got good results. He knows the team very well.”
Aberdeen fans will be watching closely as the club conducts a measured search for their next permanent manager. The Dons are intent on finding a candidate who not only ticks the tactical and technical boxes but also embraces the culture and expectations of the Scottish game.
