Chairman Dave Cormack: "From our wider discussions over the last two days, we believe that the senior players and the squad are behind the manager. Combined with our discussions at today's meeting, Jim will be in the dug-out on Saturday"
Friday 27 January 2023 19:29, UK
Jim Goodwin will remain in charge of Aberdeen for Saturday's game at Hibernian - but has been warned the club's board are "seeking an immediate response" following Monday's shock defeat at Darvel.
The Scottish Cup exit at the hands of a sixth-tier junior club piled the pressure on Goodwin, who only joined the club in February after leaving St Mirren.
It came after Aberdeen suffered a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Hearts earlier in the month, leaving the Pittodrie side with just one win in their last nine games across all competitions.
A board meeting took place on Wednesday where the future of the 41-year-old manager was a key topic of debate but he is set to carry on in his role and will take charge of Saturday's trip to Hibernian.
Chairman Dave Cormack said in a statement: "We all recognise that Monday's disastrous result in the Scottish Cup was totally unacceptable.
"It added insult to injury after such a poor result against Hearts, following what was a strong performance in the semi-final against Rangers at Hampden.
"The football monitoring board, comprising Stewart Milne, Willie Garner, Steven Gunn and me, have now had a full and frank meeting with Jim. It wasn't an easy conversation, but necessary after the overall poor results since the World Cup break.
"From our wider discussions over the last two days, we believe that the senior players and the squad are behind the manager. Combined with our discussions at today's meeting, Jim will be in the dug-out on Saturday.
"However, to be clear, Jim has been left in no doubt that the board and the fans are seeking an immediate response from him and the players."
Former Aberdeen defender Alex McLeish expressed sympathy for Goodwin after what was arguably the worst result in the club's history against Darvel.
"Oh God, it's a shame," former Rangers, Birmingham and Scotland manager McLeish said. "Listen, I've been there as a manager and I know what it feels like. He must be feeling as low as a manager can ever feel.
"I don't want to be associated with massive headlines against my old club.
"I feel for the club and (owner) Dave Cormack is a good mate. I know he's seriously trying to get them to a better level, but I'm afraid that one has dragged them back a mile."
Aberdeen journalist Frank Gilfeather assesses the Aberdeen chairman's next move:
"It's less than two years since Dave Cormack ushered Derek McInnes out of the Pittodrie door and appointed the untried Stephen Glass to lead the team.
"Eleven months later, the quiet former Aberdeen and Newcastle United midfielder was replaced by Goodwin as Cormack saw the error of his ways and put his faith in the Irishman.
"He backed him with cash. The team was rebuilt, attacking football at home was delivered, and attendances soared. There was, however, one fly in the ointment, an inability to win on the road as the statistics painted a gloomy picture.
"Less than a week ago, a 5-0 drubbing to Hearts at Tynecastle brought the number of away league goals conceded to 27 as the social media message boards shone a light on the mounting disquiet among the Aberdeen supporters over their sub-standard team and manager they felt could not arrest the decline.
"They have won just once in nine games since the break for the World Cup in Qatar.
"Goodwin's statement that "it is very difficult to put your finger on how to change that, but you have to keep on trying to encourage and motivate" was not what they, nor presumably Cormack, wanted to hear, especially when he had sanctioned an increase in wages from £9.36m to £10.23m.
"Cormack cares about public opinion. He constantly reminds those who follow his team that he, too, is a Dons supporter. But such declarations will not absolve him from what will be seen as his mistakes; sacking McInnes, who had the team competing in European football season after season; appointing a rookie coach in Glass, until then in charge of Atlanta B in a league where there is no relegation; and following that up by bringing-in another young boss to a club that needed a bigger name.
"Cormack is not universally popular among the fans, despite his investment since taking control from previous chairman Stewart Milne. So, where does he go from here? What is his thinking, apart perhaps from: 'Why did I ever become involved in running a football club?'"
Who will be on the move this winter? The January transfer window closes at midnight in Scotland on Tuesday January 31, 2023.
Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports' digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.
Sunday January 29: Livingston v Hearts, kick-off 1.30pm
Sunday January 29: Dundee United v Celtic, kick-off 4pm
Sunday February 5: St Johnstone v Celtic, kick-off 12pm
Sunday February 19: Motherwell v Hearts, kick-off 12pm
