Jimmy Thelin revealed that Shayden Morris is likely to seal a move away from Aberdeen after the winger was omitted from the squad for the 3-0 defeat away to FCSB.
The Dons lost their Europa League play-off round tie 5-2 on aggregate to the Romanian champions.
The 23-year-old joined from Fleetwood three years ago and was the Dons’ player of the year last term as they finished fifth in the Premiership and won the Scottish Cup.
However, Morris was allowed to leave Aberdeen’s pre-match base in Bucharest on Thursday for talks with his suitors, who are reportedly Luton.
“The interest around him was really strong late yesterday and I had a talk with Shayden and we made the decision together that the distraction was too much so he could not perform today, so we took him out of the squad,” manager Thelin told BBC Scotland after his side’s defeat in Romania.
“Let’s see what tomorrow brings. He’s been allowed to travel (for talks), but I can’t say more than that because no deal is done yet.
“The transfer window is there and we have to always adapt in football and take the situation where it is and focus on the things we can control.”
With the tie poised at 2-2 following the first leg at Pittodrie and Aberdeen starting strongly in the second leg in Bucharest, Thelin lamented the game-changing impact of the dubious decision late in the first half to award a penalty to FCSB and show Alexander Jensen a second yellow card for a handball he knew little about during a tangle with home forward David Miculescu.
Darius Olaru duly despatched his spot-kick in first-half stoppage time and further goals after the break from Adrian Sut and skipper Olaru ensured a 3-0 win on the night.
Aberdeen parachute into the main phase of the Conference League and will learn their opponents in Friday’s draw.
“It’s not an excuse but it’s a tough one and of course, it changes the dynamic of the game,” said Thelin.
“Over the two games, we get punished but we can’t punish them, that’s the difference, but the penalty situation changed the dynamic of the game.
“In these situations with the skill of the opponents, when you make a mistake, they have enough quality to hurt you and also when we get our own opportunities, we have to find the calmness and create more in our own situations.”
