Aberdeen FC next manager latest as Elsfborg already planning for life after Jimmy Thelin

Elfsborg are already planning for life beyond Jimmy Thelin as they have a contingency ready for if their boss leaves for Aberdeen.

The Swedish club are adamant they won't bow to the Dons interest in the 46-year-old but Pittodrie chiefs have refused to give up on the man who now appears to be their top target. Their hopes of landing him were dealt a blow when their bottom-six finish was confirmed last week as Dave Cormack and Co's hunt for a new permanent manager presses on.

Elfsborg haven't given up hope of keeping their highly-rated boss but reports in Sweden have suggested they have already decided on teaming up former Sweden No.2 and current Swedish FA technical director Peter Wettergren and current Danish second-tier club AaB manager Oscar Hiljemark as a replacement for Thelin if he quits.

Wettergren spent 10 years as an assistant manager at Elfsborg before moving to FC Copenhagen and former PSV Eindhoven, Genoa and Panathinaikos defender Hiljemark has impressed since taking charge of AaB last year. However, Elfborg have again insisted it's business as usual with Thelin despite interest from Aberdeen hotting up.

Sports director Stefan Andreasson said: "I have no comments to make on the speculation. "Jimmy Thelin is our manager and the day he leaves we will have clear ideas on how to move forward, but I want to point out that we are not in that position today. We are just at the beginning of our season and Jimmy is the manager of the club."

Aberdeen have been without a permanent manager for 72 days after they axed Barry Robson at the end of January following a hugely disappointing season - which didn't improve in the interim charge of Neil Warnock. Elfsborg are just two days into the new Swedish season and have