Jim Goodwin announced by Aberdeen as manager as St Mirren search for new boss begins

Goodwin has fended off competition from the likes of Jack Ross to replace Stephen Glass at Pittodrie.

Jim Goodwin has today become Aberdeen’s 23rd permanent manager after Dave Cormack landed the one he wanted.

Now St Mirren’s search for a new boss begins as the Paisley club face up to losing their valued boss.

Irishman Goodwin beat off competition from the likes of Jack Ross to be installed in the Pittodrie hotseat on a two-and-a-half year deal.

He will take immediate charge of the team for Saturday's Premiership clash with Motherwell.

After it became clear Bodo/Glimt’s highly rated Kjetil Knutsen wasn’t interested in moving to Scotland, Aberdeen chairman Cormack moved for the 40-year-old Waterford man.

And the American-based businessman is delighted to have secured the services of Goodwin after talks over a compensation package were finally resolved.

Cormack said: “Jim is a young, successful manager who is ambitious and relishing the opportunity to bring success to the Club.

“He fully embraces our vision and strategy and on behalf of everyone associated with Aberdeen Football Club we welcome Jim as our new manager.”

The former centre-back has enjoyed a meteoric rise as a manager since hanging up his boots.

Following the departure of Jack Ross he was appointed Alloa manager and guided the part-time team to the Championship.

Goodwin managed to keep them in the second division against the odds, before being appointed at St Mirren.

The Irishman had made 180 appearances for the club as a player and guided the Paisley club to ninth in his first campaign, which was cut short by the Covid pandemic.

Last season he improved on that in taking Saints to seventh, and Goodwin leaves with his side in the top six.