The worst kept secret in the SPL was finally revealed this morning as Mark McGhee was unveiled today as Aberdeen’s 21st manager, bringing to an end a frantic week of negotiations, frustrating radio silence and much anguish from the Aberdeen support desperate to see their prodigal son return.
That McGhee was going to get the job was never in any doubt once it became obvious that Celtic where chasing Tony Mowbray, although that particular deal seems to be stuck at the same stage that Aberdeen’s was albeit for a slightly larger amount – £2m as opposed to £200k!
With rumours of a potentially large investment in the club doing the rounds, it remains to be seen just how much financial pulling power McGhee has to attract players to the club.
While he’s inherited a good squad from Calderwood, a central defender is needed to help out Zander Diamond in an Aberdeen back line that’s given up many soft goals this season. Mark Reynolds was a player that McGhee refused to sell to Rangers when they came calling, but perhaps he can convince the Scotland U21 to move to the north-east. Midfielder Stephen Hughes is available on a free transfer and would be a good replacement for Scott Severin should he leave (reports link him to Norwich and Peterborough United, the League 1 side currently managed by Darren Ferguson, son of Alex Ferguson), while two players of particular interest should also be John Sutton and Dave Clarkson, strikers who between them scored 26 goals last season and who would be a welcome addition to the sometimes flat Aberdeen attack of last season.
Motherwell’s search for a replacement started before McGhee had even signed for the Dons. Fan favourites, if not serious contenders for the post include Chris McCart, a former player and previously Celtic youth-coach, and Luc Nijholt, another former player who in the past has stated he’d love to coach Motherwell. Across the motorway there’s Billy Reid at Hamilton who might be persuaded to move to their rivals if he feels he cant do much more with the Accies, while Jim Gannon is available following his dismissal from Stockport County. He’s potentially a controversial appointment given his outspoken nature, but he has experience and is known for playing flowing attacking football, so he may fit in well at Fir Park. Lastly, there’s Jimmy Calderwood of course but whether he would consider Motherwell after leaving Aberdeen is doubtful. Former Hibs boss Mixu Paateleinen is also available.
One other job that yet needs to be filled is the one at Parkhead. Celtic continue in their hunt for Tony Mowbray’s signature, but there still appears to be a sticking point around the compensation that needs to be paid to West Brom should Mowbray move north. The seasons runners-up will be keen to sort out the appointment and get the transfer mill started, beginning with Simon Cox, the highly rated Swindon Town striker whose 29 goals had him top scorer in the Football League last season. Celtic are joined in the chase for the 22 year-old player by West Brom, Leeds and Leicester City.
Falkirk meanwhile will spend the weekend looking through a list of candidates; former Bairn and Hearts legend Stephen Pressley, as well as a coaching team of Neil McCann, Jackie McNamara and Lee Bullen, recommended by former boss Hughes, are said to be amongst the favourites to succeed Hughes, who left Falkirk to become the new manager at Easter Road.
And for the Friday trivia: should Mowbray move to Celtic, there will currently be only three teams in the SPL not managed by a former player. Can you name them?
Tags: Aberdeen, mark mcghee, Motherwell, SPL