Aberdeen players given six months to prove themselves

Sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel said Aberdeen players have six months to show they deserve selection as the club searches for a replacement after Jimmy Thelin left; Peter Leven is interim manager and Aberdeen sit eighth in the Scottish Premiership.

Aberdeen's sporting director, Lutz Pfannenstiel, has told players they have six months to prove they deserve selection as the club looks for a new manager. Pfannenstiel will assist interim manager Peter Leven and lead the search for Jimmy Thelin's replacement after Thelin left on Sunday following a loss at Falkirk. Leven begins his third spell as interim boss with an away match at Rangers on Tuesday. Pfannenstiel also indicated squad changes are possible and that the club may recruit in January. Key points: - Pfannenstiel said players have "six months' time" to show they are worth wearing the badge and to demonstrate effort and intensity. - Pfannenstiel will assist interim manager Peter Leven and lead the search for a new permanent manager. - Jimmy Thelin left the club on Sunday after a defeat at Falkirk that left Aberdeen eighth in the Scottish Premiership. - Peter Leven's first match in his current interim spell is away to Rangers on Tuesday evening. - Alfie Dorrington has left Aberdeen after a second loan from Tottenham, and Pfannenstiel said more players could move on. - Pfannenstiel said there could be recruits in January and that the club is seeking "connection players" to improve the team. Summary: Being eighth in the league was judged not good enough and the club is using this period to reassess players and staff. Pfannenstiel will lead recruitment and the managerial search while assisting Leven in the short term, and Aberdeen face Rangers next as the search continues.