Jimmy Thelin insider claims decision on Aberdeen move is imminent as ambitious Swede’s mentality is explained

A former player of Jimmy Thelin says the Swedish manager is ready to give Aberdeen his decision.

Record Sport told you last month the Elfsborg boss has been identified by Pittodrie chiefs as a leading contender to succeed Barry Robson on a permanent basis in the Granite City, having been previously interviewed for the position last year. Last week, Elfsborg director Stefan Andreasson insisted the Allsvenskan club will fight tooth and nail to retain the 46-year-old but admitted that they would not be able to stand in his way if he wanted to seek opportunities elsewhere.

Thelin, who is contracted with Elfsborg until December 2025, came to within a whisker of lifting the Swedish top tier title last season, losing out to Malmo by virtue of goal difference. But according to former Irish midfielder Daryl Smylie – who played under Thelin at Swedish second division side Jonkopings Sondra IF between 2014 and 2017 – the Aberdeen target is now poised to make a final decision on a potential move.

Speaking to Record Sport, he said: “I don’t want to say too much but having spoken to him, I think he is going to make a decision soon.” Smylie, 38, spent a year with Livingston in the 2006/07 season where he played alongside Robert Snodgrass.

A year later the ex-Northern Ireland U21 international swapped Scotland for Sweden, where he has remained ever since. As well as turning out for Jonkopings, also played for fellow Swedish sides Ostersunds, Kalmar, Ljungskile and Assyriska before taking up a role as assistant manager with lower league side Mariebo in 2021.

Smylie has fond recollections of his time playing under Thelin, with the pair helping Jonkopings win promotion to the top tier in the first time in their history in 2015. The Richhill-born coach, who started out as a player in Newcastle United’s youth academy also believes that his old boss is destined to go far in the game. “I can say that Jimmy is a good person”, he added. “He lives and lives football. He is an easy going and a nice guy who I respected from the start and is the best manager I have had.

“He came to the team I was in at Jonkopings and got us up to the top league. He’s now gone to Elfsborg and done well and has made a lot of money for them by selling players. I haven’t been surprised by what he has done there.

“For me it’s now up to him about how far he wants to go. I think it would be a good thing for him to do (to join Aberdeen) and would be nice to see Aberdeen try something different.”

Dons fans will be scouring the internet for clips and insight into how Thelin likes his teams to play, but Smylie insists the Elfsborg man will base his style of football on the players that he has at his disposal. He continued: “I don’t think it is anything to do with how Scottish football is or how you play. It will be more to do with the players that he has.”

“The big thing for him will be the experience. He is a young manager and is always thinking about the next step and what he can do. He is more interested in being a better coach and constantly trying to improve his team and those around him.

“My career turned around after he became first team manager at Jönköpings. I started to understand football a lot better and did well under him. I think if young players have the potential to be good enough, he would 100 per cent give them the chance.”