Aberdeen appoint former St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin as new manager at Pittodrie

Aberdeen have appointed Jim Goodwin as the club’s new manager.

The 40-year-old Irishman joins the Dons on a two-and-a-half-year contract and will take charge of the team for its cinch Premiership match against Motherwell at Fir Park on Saturday.

He was appointed following the dismissal of Stephen Glass.

Goodwin said: “I am hugely honoured to have been offered the role of manager at this great football club.

“I would like to thank the board for putting their trust in me and I will do all I can going forward to repay the faith they have shown in me.

“The opportunity to work at one of the biggest clubs in the country is a dream come true, and I can’t wait to get started.

We are very pleased to this morning confirm Jim Goodwin as our new manager.

🔴 Welcome to Aberdeen, Jim!
— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) February 19, 2022

“Not only does Aberdeen FC have a great history and fan base, but it also has a clear ambition to be successful both on and off the pitch, an ambition which matches my own. You only need to see the level of investment made at Cormack Park to realise that.

“I can guarantee everyone connected to Aberdeen FC that I will give my all on a daily basis to ensure the club has the success it so richly craves and deserves.”

Former midfielder Goodwin, who won one cap for the Republic of Ireland, began his coaching career at St Mirren and after a spell at Alloa, where he won promotion to the Championship, returned in the summer of 2019 to take charge once again.

Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack said: “Jim is a young, successful manager who is ambitious and relishing the opportunity to bring success to the club.

Goodwin will be joined at Pittodrie by Lee Sharp, his assistant at St Mirren.

The Paisley club’s chief executive, Tony Fitzpatrick, said: “I would like to place on record my thanks to Jim Goodwin for all he has done in his time at St Mirren.

“Jim raised the bar during his time at the club – reaching both the semi-finals of the League and Scottish Cups last season as well as achieving our highest top-flight finish in over 30 years. Jim leaves us challenging for a top six position and in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup.

“I know leaving St Mirren was a difficult decision for Jim and while we are disappointed to lose him, Aberdeen met a release clause within his contract and we respect his decision to move on.

“Jim has been a fantastic ambassador for our club and we wish him every success for the future.”

Coach Jamie Langfield, head of youth development Allan McManus, Michael McArdle and Andy Webster will form an interim management team while the formal recruitment process gets under way to find Goodwin’s replacement.