{"id":25181,"date":"2022-02-19T09:45:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-19T14:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25181"},"modified":"2022-02-19T10:47:34","modified_gmt":"2022-02-19T15:47:34","slug":"jim-goodwin-appointed-as-the-dons-new-manager","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25181","title":{"rendered":"Jim Goodwin Appointed As The Dons’ New Manager"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Former St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin has taken charge at Aberdeen (PA Wire\/PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Jim Goodwin is relishing a \u201cdream\u201d opportunity to manage one of Scotland\u2019s biggest clubs after being handed the reins at Aberdeen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 40-year-old Irishman, who was given permission to speak to the Dons by St Mirren on Friday, has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal and was due to be in the dugout for Saturday afternoon\u2019s cinch Scottish Premiership clash with Motherwell at Fir Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Goodwin, whose appointment was announced by the club on Saturday morning, told Aberdeen\u2019s official website: \u201cI am hugely honored to have been offered the role of manager at this great football club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI would like to thank the board for putting their trust in me and I will do all I can going forward to repay the faith they have shown in me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe opportunity to work at one of the biggest clubs in the country is a dream come true and I can\u2019t wait to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot only does Aberdeen FC have a great history and fanbase, but it also has a clear ambition to be successful both on and off the pitch, an ambition which matches my own. You only need to see the level of investment made at Cormack Park (the club\u2019s training ground) to realize that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI can guarantee everyone connected to Aberdeen FC that I will give my all on a daily basis to ensure the club has the success it so richly craves and deserves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Goodwin, who will be assisted at Pittodrie by Lee Sharp \u2013 his number two at St Mirren \u2013 inherits a club sitting eighth in the table but without a win in six games in all competitions, a run which cost Stephen Glass his job last Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chairman Dave Cormack said: \u201cJim is a young, successful manager who is ambitious and relishing the opportunity to bring success to the club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe fully embraces our vision and strategy and on behalf of everyone associated with Aberdeen Football Club, we welcome Jim as our new manager.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former midfielder Goodwin, who won one cap for the Republic of Ireland, began his coaching career at St Mirren and after a spell at Alloa, where he won promotion to the Championship, returned in the summer of 2019 to take charge once again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

St Mirren chief executive Tony Fitzpatrick revealed the Dons had triggered a release clause in Goodwin\u2019s contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanking him for his service, Fitzpatrick told the club\u2019s official website: \u201cJim raised the bar during his time at the club, reaching both the semi-finals of the League and Scottish Cups last season as well as achieving our highest top-flight finish in over 30 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know leaving St Mirren was a difficult decision for Jim and while we are disappointed to lose him, Aberdeen met a release clause within his contract and we respect his decision to move on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coach Jamie Langfield, head of youth development Allan McManus, Michael McArdle and Andy Webster will form an interim management team while the formal recruitment process gets under way to find Goodwin\u2019s replacement.<\/p>\n

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