Jimmy Thelin first words as new Aberdeen FC manager as Swede vows to take club to 'top level'

Aberdeen have finally announced the appointment of Jimmy Thelin as their new boss with the Swede signing a ???? year deal at Pittodrie.

The 46-year-old emerged as the man the Reds wanted to permanently succeed Barry Robson after the shock departure of interim Neil Warnock last month. They were even looking at him BEFORE Robson was given the gig. But now the Dons finally landed their top target – 77 days after the axeing of Robson – when managing to secure him from Elfsborg. Thelin’s stock has been on the rise in Sweden after leading Elfsborg to two second place finishes in the Allsvenskan and he was a whisker away from winning the top flight last season.

Thelin – who will assisted by Christer Persson and Emir Bajrami at Pittodrie – is the first overseas manager to take charge in the North-East since the late Ebbe Skovdahl 25 years ago with the Dane earning cult status among the Aberdeen support. Thelin said: “I am very honoured to be the new Aberdeen manager and to be coming to this great club and city. I wanted to be sure I was making the right step in my career, particularly as this will be my first time managing outside of Sweden.

"At Elfsborg we took a provincial club to compete at the top level and it is our intention to achieve the same at Aberdeen. The feeling I have about what I have seen at the club, the staff and the facilities was all very impressive. The vision, effort and support offered by Dave, Alan and Steven have also convinced me it is a great opportunity for me and the club.

“I can promise the fans we will be striving to build and a develop a team that captures the hearts of the supporters and delivers success on the pitch. I'm looking forward to working with Peter and the players and I hope they