Aberdeen's search for a new manager has taken an interesting turn. German coach Sandro Schwarz has landed in Scotland and is now in the Granite City for face-to-face talks about taking charge at Pittodrie.
The 47-year-old will meet with sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel, chairman Dave Cormack, and chief executive Alan Burrows. He's also set to watch Wednesday night's massive home clash against Celtic from the stands.
Here's the thing though - Schwarz isn't actually Aberdeen's first choice. That honour still belongs to Norwegian manager Eirik Horneland. But his potential move has hit some unexpected roadblocks due to what the club calls 'unforeseen circumstances' that aren't football-related.
Why Aberdeen Need a Backup Plan
Nobody knows exactly when Horneland's situation will be sorted out. Both sides want it to happen, but they can't put a timeline on it right now. That's left Aberdeen in a tricky spot, especially with their season hanging in the balance.
The Dons sacked Scottish Cup-winning manager Jimmy Thelin back in January, and Peter Leven has been holding the fort as interim boss. But results haven't been great with the revamped squad still finding their feet.
Schwarz brings decent experience to the table. He's managed in the Bundesliga with Hertha Berlin and Mainz, spent two years in Russia with Dynamo Moscow, and most recently coached New York Red Bulls in MLS. Pfannenstiel knows him well from their time competing in American soccer.
What This Means for Aberdeen's Season
The stats aren't exactly glowing though. Schwarz's best win rate at the top level sits just over 40% from his time in Moscow. That's something Aberdeen fans will be mulling over as they weigh up this potential appointment.
With Celtic visiting tonight, Aberdeen's top-six hopes are pretty much toast. For anyone looking at the betting markets, that Celtic match looks particularly one-sided given all the uncertainty surrounding the Dons right now.
The real focus now is Saturday's Scottish Cup clash with Dunfermline Athletic. Aberdeen desperately want to defend that trophy - it might be their only realistic shot at silverware this season.
If Aberdeen decide to wait for Horneland until summer, another name could resurface: Uwe Rosler. He's currently at VFL Bochum and was originally top of Pfannenstiel's wish list. But that's a long wait when results need improving now.
