Wednesday is set to be a seismic day for Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack, the Dons board and under-pressure manager Jim Goodwin – here’s how the day is set to unfold.
The maelstrom around the subject of boss Goodwin’s future has reached fever pitch following Monday’s 1-0 Scottish Cup exit at sixth-tier minnows Darvel.
The number of Reds supporters calling for the gaffer to be axed has surged on social media, as – in addition to an “embarrassing” and “humiliating” (Goodwin’s words) worst-ever defeat at Recreation Park – Aberdeen have now managed just one win from nine post-winter break matches.
There was very little in the way of support for Goodwin among Dons fans on various social media channels across Monday night and Tuesday.
But within the Aberdeen hierarchy, views on removing Goodwin from his position, after under a year in the hotseat and just 42 matches, are thought to be less clear cut.
Aberdeen manager wasn’t visible on training pitch
On Tuesday, chairman Cormack – who had been at Monday’s Darvel disaster in Ayrshire – and the rest of the board continued to keep their powder dry.
After initially sleeping on what they were going to do Monday into Tuesday, they then spent the day in further pondering and discussions, while Goodwin and his Dons players arrived at the Cormack Park training ground for Darvel debrief crisis talks and a light recovery session.
The Press and Journal had a photographer there, confirming the players were put through some recovery exercises – but although Goodwin was there, the under-fire manager wasn’t visible on the training pitch from outside the compound.
Wait for decision on Jim Goodwin’s future could go on until later on Wednesday
Whether Goodwin goes – or stays – will likely be decided on Wednesday, however, news is expected no earlier than this afternoon.
The Reds players have a day off today, and first Goodwin and chief Cormack are expected to meet, which will give the former St Mirren midfielder the chance to convince the chairman he is the right man to lead Aberdeen out of a run of form which means they are out of both cups and, realistically, out of the hunt for third spot in the Premiership.
You would imagine, as club legend Willie Miller has noted often in his column, Goodwin will likely point to some of the exciting, attacking, goal-heavy football seen at Pittodrie early in the campaign as a starting point to save his job.
Following this meeting, there is then set to be a meeting of Dons board members to make a final decision.
Worst result in club’s history
While there is thought to be an understanding of the overwhelmingly toxic mood among the Red Army and how difficult it would be, given the current run – including the worst result in the club’s history – to keep Goodwin in post, Goodwin’s contract with the club runs until summer 2024 and this would surely mean a hefty pay-out from the Pittodrie coffers, which is one concern.
There are also fears over the message sacking him would send i.e. reputational concerns over the Reds being viewed as a club who hire and fire managers, given both Derek McInnes and Stephen Glass have been disposed of in the past couple of years.
Boss Goodwin was backed to the tune of £1.5 million in the summer for a wholesale rebuild of the Aberdeen squad, while the club have already brought in two loan players – Graeme Shinnie and Patrik Myslovic – during January.
Whatever the board’s decision on Goodwin is, with more January transfer window recruits desperately needed, there is little time left to get them in the door – which is why a call, either way, looks certain to be made today.
Conversation