Ex-Bundesliga boss now odds-on favourite to be next Aberdeen manager
Aberdeen are set to hire their new manager in the coming weeks, with several key names in the race.
Jimmy Thelin was sacked by Aberdeen at the start of January, having led his side to just three wins from 10 games across all competitions.
The Dons now find themselves in desperate need of an appointment after losing back-to-back games to Rangers last week.
Scott Brown has been touted for the Aberdeen job, with the former Celtic midfielder currently in charge of Scottish Championship side Ayr United.
And Wayne Rooney has been mentioned as an outside candidate for the Aberdeen job, with the former England international yet to return to management since leaving Plymouth Argyle.
Markus Gisdol leads Aberdeen race as odds slashed
Experienced manager Markus Gisdol has emerged among the leading candidates for the Aberdeen job in recent days.
The 56-year-old has managed countless teams since 1997, most notably taking charge of Hoffenheim, FC Koln and Hamburg in the Bundesliga.
| Markus Gisdol | Bundesliga |
| Wins | 54 |
| Draws | 47 |
| Losses | 83 |
| Scored | 259 |
| Conceded | 334 |
But the German has also managed in Russia and Turkey, with his two most recent stints coming in the Super Lig.
Unfortunately, neither were very long. The 2023-24 season saw Gisdol have a transformative impact on Samsunspor, with the club’s fans left disappointed when he left at the end of the season.
The former Hamburg boss was appointed by Kayserispor this season, although his time there was very different. The 56-year-old was in charge for just eight games before he dismissed, winning none of them.
Gisdol’s odds of taking over at Aberdeen have shortened to 4/9, leading the likes of Jens Berthel Askou (5/2), and Tony Mowbray (8/1), according to one major bookmaker.
What Gisdol said after leaving Samsunspor speaks volumes
The information surrounding Gisdol’s departure from Samsunspor was sparse. The manager had led the Super Lig side from a situation in which they had lost six of their opening seven games, to a 13th-place finish.
Fans had fallen in love with the German, and regularly made his name ring around the Samsun 19 Mayis Stadium.
Upon his departure, Gisdol posted a video of one of such moments, in which he put his hand to his heart and clapped the fans.
“I came as a stranger and now leave as a friend,” he wrote. “Samsun will always be a part of my heart.”
Should he be hired, Aberdeen will hope that the 56-year-old can enjoy a similar impact both on the pitch and off it.