Aberdeen: Eirik Horneland leading contender to land Pittodrie job as ex-Saint-Etienne boss impresses Dons
Eirik Horneland has impressed Aberdeen chiefs as they search for a new manager; the Dons sacked Jimmy Thelin on January 4; Peter Leven has been in interm charge since and won one Scottish Premiership match; the Dons are seventh in the league
Thursday 5 February 2026 12:44, UK
Former Saint-Etienne boss Eirik Horneland is the leading contender for the Aberdeen managerial vacancy.
It's understood that the 50-year-old has impressed the club's hierarchy, following the final stage interviews, and is believed to be the number one target.
Sky Sports News reported that the final process would take place this week, with St Mirren's Stephen Robinson, Uwe Rosler of VfL Bochum and Markus Gisdol among the five left in the frame.
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Dons sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel has led the thorough process to find a new head coach since Jimmy Thelin's sacking in early January.
Pfannenstiel has been a long-term admirer of Horneland's work and tried to sign the Norwegian for his previous clubs Fortuna Düsseldorf and St Louis City.
Peter Leven has been in interim charge since, winning one of four league games plus progressing past Championship side Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup.
Aberdeen are seventh in the Scottish Premiership, eight points outside the top six with a game in hand on Falkirk who are directly above them.
Who is Horneland?
The 50-year-old started his managerial career as assistant of Norwegian club Haugesund - a team he represented during his playing career.
He then took charge of the Norway U19 side before returning to Haugesund and impressing over three years.
Horneland was then named Rosenborg manager in 2019 and led the club to third in the league, plus the group stage of the Europa League, before resigning the next year after poor results.
He then moved to Brann as assistant, before a spell as caretaker saw him eventually take the top job as head coach and helped the club seal promotion back to the top-flight in his first season after relegation.
His first season in the top-flight saw the Norwegian club break the league record for points won and goals scored, as he received the league's coach of the year prize. Domestic cup success followed, as did European football, before he left after consecutive second-place finishes.
Horneland then moved to France to take charge of Saint-Etienne but left by mutual consent last month.
Aberdeen fixtures:
- Motherwell (H) - Scottish Cup - Saturday
- Dundee Utd (A) - Scottish Premiership - Wednesday
- Motherwell (A) - Scottish Premiership - February 15
- Dundee (H) - Scottish Premiership - February 21
- Hearts (A) - February - February 28
