Aberdeen manager search: the case for McGlynn and Clarke
Peter Martin's panel weighed up who should succeed Stephen Robinson at Aberdeen, with John McGlynn and Steve Clarke both drawing strong views.
By Peter Martin,
"I would have McGlynn in a heartbeat." That was one of the clearest verdicts as Peter Martin, Michael Grant, Hugh MacDonald and Gordon Parks discussed who Aberdeen should appoint after Stephen Robinson.
Martin opened by reading out the names in the frame: Steve Clarke, Neil Lennon, John McGlynn, Steven Pressley, Michael Wimmer and Gary Caldwell.
Questions for the sporting director
Before getting to the candidates, the panel turned to Aberdeen's sporting director and asked "where's his impact?" The discussion moved on to whether the club should give its supporters a clear strategy, with the approach of Tony Bloom at Hearts raised as an example. The sporting director's shortlist also came under scrutiny, under the heading "Rule them all out".
McGlynn divides opinion
John McGlynn was the name that came up most. Alongside the strong backing for him, one of the panel could not see the club making that move: "I can't see Aberdeen going for him."
McGlynn's name also featured in a wider point about recruitment, with the panel identifying a striker who scores as the hardest thing for a club to find. His spell at Hearts was revisited too.
Clarke could be persuaded
On Steve Clarke, the panel offered a notable line: "I'm told possibly he could be persuaded if the conditions were right."
Michael Wimmer and Neil Lennon were also discussed as options.
Restoring belief
Running through the conversation was the sense that the next appointment has to lift the club. As the panel put it, "you've got to blow the air back in the balloon at Aberdeen". The panel also drew a comparison with one of the biggest clubs in England: "Aberdeen are very similar to Manchester United."
With a broad list of candidates and questions over the club's direction above the dugout, the panel's discussion pointed to a decision that will be judged as much on strategy as on the name chosen.