JIMMY DON AND DUSTED

Axe falls on boss Thelin after a miserable first half of campaign

- BY MARK PIRIE

JIMMY THELIN accepted his Aberdeen axing after being shown the door by the Granite City club in his final Pittodrie address.

Thelin last season led the Dons to Scottish Cup glory for the first time since 1990 with a shock penalty shootout victory over Celtic, but has been relieved of his duties following a dismal first half of the Premiership season that has the Dons down in eighth place in the table.

Former Elfsborg boss Thelin met with Reds chiefs before his fate was decided, with chairman Dave Cormack, CEO Alan Burrows and director of football Lutz Pfannenstiel now starting the search for a sixth managerial appointment since 2022.

Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Falkirk was Aberdeen's ninth loss in 20 league matches this season and Thelin exits with the team 11 points adrift of fourth-top Motherwell.

The Swede was heavily backed in the summer but the likes of Marko Lazetic, Kenan Bilalovic and Nicolas Milanovic have flattered to deceive, with the Reds constantly coming unstuck at both ends of the park.