Eirik Horneland, formerly of French Ligue 2 side Saint-Etienne, is reportedly a leading candidate for the Aberdeen manager's position. The Norwegian recently departed Saint-Etienne last weekend by mutual agreement. Aberdeen sacked previous manager Jimmy Thelin on January 4, 2026, following a poor run of results in the Scottish Premiership. First-team coach Peter Leven has since taken interim charge of the team, with sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel overseeing the recruitment process.
Pfannenstiel has reportedly attempted to recruit Horneland in previous roles, indicating a long-standing interest. Horneland boasts significant experience in Norwegian football, having managed FK Haugesund, Rosenborg, and Brann. He notably guided Brann to the Norwegian First Division title in 2022 and secured the Norwegian Cup in 2023, achieving European qualification in the process. Other managers considered for the role include Stephen Robinson, Uwe Rosler, and Markus Gisdol, according to reports.
