Aberdeen are set to confirm Neil Warnock as their interim manager until the end of the season.
The Dons are finalising a deal to have the 75-year-old confirmed as Barry Robson’s successor ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Rangers.
Appointing an interim manager will give the Dons board time to complete a review of their football operation ahead of a long-term managerial appointment being made in the summer.
Warnock has spoken on several occasions of his desire to manage in Scotland and has previously applied for the Aberdeen job.
Footage of Warnock arriving at Aberdeen Airport shared by one Dons fan on social media increased the excitement among the Dons support.
The Eagle has landed at ABZ pic.twitter.com/HpnOZCKp8f
— Mike Edwards (@afc1903mike) February 4, 2024
The Press and Journal reported on Wednesday that Warnock was under consideration by the Dons board as a short-term solution to give them time to undertake a thorough recruitment process for a longer-term managerial option.
Peter Leven took charge of the Dons for Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Premiership leaders Celtic but admitted after the game that he was unsure if he would still be in the dugout for Tuesday’s trip to Ibrox to face Rangers and was taking things “day by day”.
Former Celtic boss Neil Lennon became the favourite with the bookmakers for the Aberdeen job on Thursday evening but it is understood he was not under consideration for the interim role.
Former Sunderland and Stoke City boss Alex Neil, who had also been linked to the vacancy, is also reportedly not looking to return to Scotland.
Arsenal youth coach Jack Wilshere was keen on the vacancy, while it was reported in the Mail on Sunday that former Fulham boss Scott Parker turned down the opportunity to discuss the role with the Dons.
Taking over the Dons on an interim basis will be Warnock’s 20th managerial job.
The Englishman’s first job was at Gainsborough Trinity in 1980 and he has gone on to enjoy spells in charge of a plethora of clubs including Sheffield United, Crystal Palace, Queens Park Rangers, Leeds United, Cardiff City and Middlesbrough.
Most recently, Warnock took charge of Huddersfield Town in February last year until the end of the 2022-23 season and guided them to safety despite being seven points adrift in March.
He agreed a one-year extension in June but left the club in September.
Warnock is now set for his first job north of the border and could be in the dugout for Aberdeen’s meeting with Rangers at Ibrox on Tuesday.
It is expected that Ronnie Jepson will be Warnock’s assistant at Pittodrie, while Leven is set to stay on as first team coach. Jepson worked alongside Warnock at Huddersfield.
Warnock will inherit a Dons team that sits eighth in the Scottish Premiership and has a last-16 Scottish Cup tie against Bonnyrigg Rose coming up on Saturday.
