Jimmy Thelin had a perfect start to life at Aberdeen, literally.
The Swede won his first 14 games in charge of the Pittodrie side, carrying on after a strong start in the Premier Sports Cup to claim victory in the opening seven league games.
A battling away draw to Celtic was a terrific result to keep them level with the champions in the league but also gave up that 100 per cent record.
However, they followed it up with another three league wins with Thelin’s only defeat as Dons boss a crushing 6-0 hammering from the Hoops in the league cup semi-final.
- READ MORE: Why Aberdeen can ‘without doubt’ compete with Celtic and the three stars who will be key to that
Thelin is ideal manager for Aberdeen
Despite losing that 100 per cent record, Thelin might still be the perfect manager for Aberdeen.
That’s the view of former Dons centre-back Brian Irvine who has been thoroughly impressed by everything the new manager has done so far.
The team and performances are night and day compared to last season when they were battling down in the bottom six and Thelin has managed to achieve that in such a short time.
He has done so playing attacking football but also remaining strong at the back in a solid shape.
Asked if it is refreshing to see Aberdeen take games to teams like Celtic and Rangers, Irvine told Not the Old Firm: “Yeah, definitely. It does come from just the team having that momentum and confidence the results have brought from the early part of the season right through.
“They’re obviously working things on the training ground as well. But when they come to the games they look well capable.
“I remember the goal (Peter) Ambrose scored running from the half-way line, a goal out of nothing really. So there’s pace bursting through the team.
“There’s just that solidness in the team but that unexpectedness that players are capable of producing, and goals change games.
“So there’s a whole mix in there – stability, defensive solidness, good activity in the midfield with Shinnie driving on the team. And they’ve got the forwards to score goals.
“There has been a lot of late goals as well so that’s another thing that should be mentioned – a lot of character in the team.
“It’s a real mix and he also makes substitutions that win games. So he just seems like the perfect manager in terms of getting the players ready and in terms of what he does and changes he makes during the game.”
No Thelin Aberdeen exit fears
A manager described as ‘perfect’ is surely then going to be on the radars of other clubs.
Indeed, Thelin has already been linked with Wolves and Not the Old Firm exclusively told you of the price the Premier League side would have to pay.
But Irvine, who also told us about how Aberdeen can compete with Celtic, has no worries about the manager being prised away from Pittodrie.
Addressing interest in the Swede, he said: “You just have to live with that, I think.
“I don’t think it’s something that’s going to happen overnight, he’s signed a three-year contract so I don’t think he’ll just go away.
“I think Aberdeen fans are worrying and thinking ‘we’re doing so well so someone will come in and take him’. After five months in the job that realistically won’t happen.
“And if we get into next season, I’m sure he wants to build on what he’s started here and there’s a long way to go, to become a regular in Europe for example.
“And to try and do well in the league at the same time which we didn’t manage last season. So there’s lots of things he wants to improve further than what he has already.
“I don’t think it’ll happen immediately andd in the meantime he’s got loads of things he wants to achieve.
“So we hopefully won’t have to worry about losing the manager within his first season, he’s signed a three-year contract after all.”