Aberdeen sack manager Barry Robson after 12 months in charge at Pittodrie

Aberdeen have parted company with manager Barry Robson, the Pittodrie club has announced.

Robson and his assistant Steve Agnew depart the club after a 1-1 home draw with Dundee on Tuesday night that left the Dons in eighth place in the Premiership table.

In a statement released by the club, chairman Dave Cormack said that Robson had been given time and support but that the performances had not been up to the standard set early in his time in charge.

“Although it has been a difficult call, the board felt the change was necessary and in the best interests of Aberdeen FC,” Cormack said.

“Barry earned the right to be Aberdeen manager and knew the high level of expectation we had when he took the role. We gave Barry as much time and support as we possibly could in the hope, and expectation, he could return us to the league form we witnessed in the spring of last year.

“There is a talented squad of players at the club which makes our current league position unacceptable.

“With 17 games left in the league and still in the Scottish Cup, this change is necessary to help us refocus on our ambitions for the rest of the season.

“It’s important we thank Barry for his significant contribution to Aberdeen as a player, a coach and manager. He’s a good man who worked extremely hard in everything he did for us, and it goes without saying that we wish him, and Steve, our very best.

“The club, as a business, is in good shape. We have no bank debt, significant commercial growth, record season ticket and AberDNA membership sales. We also have an evolving player trading model that is allowing us to invest significantly more in the football operation than the operating income we generate.

“But, as chairman I accept responsibility, along with the board, for the managerial upheavals. It’s exhausting for everyone to go through, not least our fans and the managers who gave their all and lost their jobs.

“We have asked first team coach Peter Leven, assisted by Scott Anderson, to lead training on an interim basis.”

The decision ends Robson’s time in the Pittodrie hot seat after a year in the job.

Originally appointed on an interim basis following Jim Goodwin’s sacking, the former midfielder turned around the team’s form and led a climb from seventh place in the table to third, securing European football. That led to Robson being named as permanent manager in May and being backed in the summer transfer window.

Results at the start of the season disappointed the Dons support, with the team struggling to handle the demands of playing domestic football as well as Europa Conference League group stage games.

Robson did guide the team to the League Cup final, though the team lost Rangers at Hampden, but poor league results continued even after European involvement had ended.

Last weekend’s defeat to Hearts significantly reduced the chances of repeating last season’s third-place finish and fans chanted “We want Robson out” during Tuesday night’s home draw, which left the team sitting in eight position in the league having played 21 games.

In his post-match interview Robson vowed to fight on but the board acted on Wednesday morning and will now begin a search for their fourth manager since 2021.