Ex-Hibs pair in running for surprise Aberdeen management duo

Stephen Glass is favourite to land the Aberdeen job. Picture: SNS

Derek McInnes departed earlier in the week after a successful eight-year spell which had reached its natural end point.

Barry Robson, Paul Sheerin and club legend Neil Simpson have been placed in interim charge with the Dons three points behind Hibs in the race for third with six league fixtures remaining.

Speculation over the next management team ramped up on Thursday.

Sven Goran Eriksson is reported to be keen on a Dons job. Picture: SNS

Croatian coach Marijo Tot declared his interest in the vacancy.

A former assistant to Slaven Bilic at Saudi Arabian team, Al-Ittihad, the 48-year-old has managed Dinamo Zagreb and the Croatian women’s team, as well as spells in China and Malaysia.

‘Fresh blood’

“I am sure with my expertise and knowledge I could help make Aberdeen better in the future,” he told the Evening Express.

“I feel the club has the chance to be better and for me the key point is to start importing new, fresh blood with new ideas and new possibilities."

Tot wasn’t the only one to show an interest in the job with Steven Pressley, an Aberdeen fan growing up, stating his desire to be considered.

He believes he has the expertise to help Dave Cormack implement his DNA ambition.

He said: “It’s a club that’s got very good young players which has been very prominent in my managerial tenures, developing young players, developing a young, energetic squad.

“I believe a parting of the ways was inevitable because Dave Cormack is looking for a different type of manager - one that fits his DNA.”

The favourite and the surprise

Stephen Glass remains the favourite to land the job, the ex-Aberdeen star has close links to Cormack through his role with Atlanta United.

It was reported by the Scottish Sun on Thursday night he wants to bring Celtic captain Scott Brown to Pittodrie in a player-coach role, alongside England strikers' coach Allan Russell.

Glass and Brown, who is out of contract at the end of the season. are reported to still be close after their spell as team-mates at Hibs.

Yet, that surprise report was equalled by a link to former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson.

A genuine A-list name, the Swede has won trophies in his homeland, Portugal and Italy, including Serie A. He is most remembered for his spell as England boss, where he made back and front page news.

He has since had somewhat of a nomadic coaching career, including spell stints as Mexico, Ivory Coast and Philippines manager.

The Daily Record reports he has an interest in the job or a possible director of football role.

For the bookies, the second favourite is Neil Lennon, who, of course, recently left Celtic.

The Northern Irishman was back doing punditry work for the Europa League on Thursday with the BBC and was asked about his future.

Lennon expressed his desire to return to management.

“I’ve had a bit of a break, stayed in the house like everybody else is doing at the minute,” he said. “But I’m sure I’ll get the itch sooner rather than later."

With more than a week until Aberdeen's next fixture, Cormack has time to move if he wants a new manager in before the end of the season.