Chants of “we’re going to win the league” rang out among a rapturous Aberdeen crowd in Dingwall after Kevin Nisbet scored a late winner against Ross County to secure a vital 1-0 victory.
After four wins from four games, the Dons are level with Celtic on points in the Premiership table, enjoying a stunning start to life under new manager Jimmy Thelin.
While certainly tongue in cheek this chant following the late winner over the Highland side comes just four months since Aberdeen finished the 2023/24 campaign in ninth position – their joint lowest top flight finish since 2012.
Peter Leven (twice), Barry Robson and Neil Warnock all led the club at some point last season, winning only 19 games combined. Something had to change, and fast.
The tried and trusted method of turning to those who knew Scottish football clearly hadn’t worked, as chairman Dave Cormack looked elsewhere for a manager who would be capable of returning the Dons to a top three finish in the Premiership, while potentially winning a cup or two.
Enter Thelin.
Making his mark in Sweden
The 46-year-old Swede worked his way from coaching the U17 side at J-Södra IF in 2009, before landing the role of first team manager five years later. Across the next three and a half years, Thelin would manage the club for 130 matches, leading them to the Allsvenskan via promotion in 2015.
While the club suffered relegation during their second season in the top flight, Thelin’s approach had made him an attractive proposition for other teams.
He was appointed manager of Elfsborg in January 2018, implementing an attacking 4-3-3 system which would become his staple.
Over the next six years, Elfsborg would finish outside the top six just twice – during his first two campaigns – while even finishing runners up in both 2020 and 2023.
This success in a league usually dominated by Malmö, or the Stockholm clubs, clearly piqued Cormack’s interest, leading to the club announcing Thelin as their new manager in April.
A gamble indeed, but one that looks as though it is already paying off.
A new era
Aberdeen scored just 48 league goals last season, relying heavily on Bojan Miovski, who scored 16 of them. If it wasn’t for the striker, the Dons would have likely ended up in the relegation playoffs.
Performing as well as he did in Scotland was bound to attract attention. The Old Firm were half-heartedly linked with the 24-year-old in January, yet the supporters knew he wouldn’t remain in the north east for long.
Indeed, when an offer of £6.8m was presented to Thelin by La Liga side Girona during the transfer window, it was clear he would be moving to Spain, finishing his time in Scotland with 44 goals in just 98 appearances.
Losing this sort of quality was a blow, but the Swede wasted no time in strengthening, signing a total of seven players to bulk out his first team squad.
The transfer window has clearly been a success, as the Dons have won nine games in a row – five in the League Cup and four in the Premiership – to begin 2024/25 with a perfect record.
Combining these new signings to the core group of players already at the club has evidently worked wonders, with the goals being spread around the squad so far.
Six players have scored two or more, with striker Ester Sokler leading the way with four goals after nine games.
Drawn in a League Cup group consisting of Airdrie, Dumbarton, East Kilbride and Queen of the South, 12 points from 12 was the goal and Thelin duly delivered. A late strike by Topi Keskinen gave the Dons a 1-0 win over Queens Park in the last 16. The performance was subpar, yet they dug in and secured the win over tricky opponents.
The Premiership is the priority, however, with Thelin’s charges enjoying a splendid start domestically. Four wins, eight goals scored and just two conceded is better than most supporters would have dreamed a few months ago.
What is most striking is how more dynamic they look, especially going forward. The Dons rank second in the league for possession won in the final third per game (4.5), while also ranking third for touches in the opposition box (98), expected goals (5.4) and big chances (11), behind only Rangers and Celtic.
Jamie McGrath has been at the centre of this newfound attacking confidence shown by the side. The Irishman has created 5.05 chances per game while registering 0.89 assists and winning possession in the final third 1.19 times per game.
The 27-year-old might be the standout, but the majority of the squad have thrived under the new regime, which could see Aberdeen return to the top three of the Premiership once again.
The Swedish tactician won’t be getting carried away, but if Aberdeen maintain this form over the coming weeks, don’t be surprised to see them challenging for second spot in the league, especially considering Rangers struggles so far this season.
Whisper it quietly, but it looks like Aberdeen are back.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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