Craig Brown’s 245 days at Fir Park were littered with comments about the happy relationship that was often described as a “gentlemen’s agreement”. It is hard to find the elements of courtesy and thoughtfulness which typify the word gentleman in the behaviour of our ex-manager in the last day or two.
It is a hard lesson to be learned by the club board and fans that the actions of some in football are guided entirely by self interest. To rub salt into the wound we are not due any compensation from his new employer for this latest raid from our managerial office. We can only hope that Aberdeen have as much success with the Brown and Knox as they enjoyed with McGhee.
We have to find a new leader but there is no need for a panic appointment. Despite the last four managers holding the post for short periods we have hardly suffered. Malpas lasted one season, McGhee lasted for two campaigns then Gannon (182 days) and Brown (245 days). Our league positions during that time have been, for the most part, excellent.
There may be a short term appointment (Craigan seems the obvious player/coach choice) but John Boyle should instigate his usual thorough search for the new man.
The ex-Dundee pair of Chisolm and Dodds are reported to be of interest and talks may already be underway. It is always tempting for fans to acclaim or decry candidates for the job but we need to have faith in the guiding hand of the chairman. We’ll know the next step soon enough.