Dons receive first knock back in search for new boss

Motherwell have confirmed today Aberdeen had indeed spoken to Management Partnership Crag Brown and Archie Knox and they have decided to stay at Fir Park.

Brown and Knox had become the bookies favourites in recent days to succeed another former Motherwell manager Mark McGhee.

Motherwell's statement reveals Aberdeen have indeed spoken to the pair yesterday afternoon "briefly" and they decided to stay at Fir Park.

It is no surprise the two were attractive to Aberdeen given they did a similar job at Motherwell last season when they saved them from a relegation fight and moved them into a European spot just the same situation the Dons are currently in!

It is also no surprise Brown and Knox decided not to move north. They are under little pressure at Fir Park with expectations at the club at the correct level. A move to the Dons would see him under pressure again with a small budget and a board who seem to have their finger on the trigger at all times and are too ready to get rid of Managers.

The job would not appear to be all that attractive to any manager in a current position, for example, Terry Butcher. Why would he want to move from the relative safety of Caledonian Stadium to the pressure pot of Pittodrie.

Having said that the job could be appealing to anyone not in work, which includes the usual suspects; John Hughes, Gus McPherson and, now Phil Brown formerly of Hull. Sadly for Aberdeen there is a reason they are all out of work......

The Dons board now has a big challenge to find the right man to steer them to safety this season, never mind Europe