Calderwood honoured by Dons milestone

Dons manager set for 200th game

 

By Charlie Allan

 

Published: 26/11/2008

 

DECEMBER 20, 2007: Jamie Smith is all smiles after netting for the Dons in the 4-0 win over Copenhagen in the UEFA Cup.

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JIMMY Calderwood is “honoured†he is about to take charge of his 200th game as Aberdeen boss.

 

That’s because he feared he had blown his chances of ever being boss at Pittodrie when he gave chairman Stewart Milne an ear bashing months before he came on board in 2004.

 

Milne forgave him and Calderwood has gone on to become the club’s longest serving manager since Alex Ferguson.

 

Calderwood said: “I’m grateful that the chairman doesn’t bear grudges.

 

“I was still the manager of Dunfermline when I ran into him at a function in Manchester.

 

“I gave Stewart a right earful, asking him when he was going to sort out Aberdeen, who I’ve always regarded as a massive club.

 

“When I walked away from him I remember thinking ‘what an idiot.’

 

“I had ambitions to manage one of Scotland’s bigger clubs but feared I had blown any chance of that being at Pittodrie.

 

“The chairman forgave me though, and I hope he is happy with my efforts so far.â€

 

Calderwood admitted his reign so far has contained a mixture of highs and lows.

 

“I’m proud that I’ve taken Aberdeen into Europe and we have finished in the top six of the SPL every season I have been here,†he said.

 

“But those highs have been countered by the two cup semi-final defeats and CIS Cup loss to Queen’s Park.

 

“I also look on the opening eight weeks or so of this season as a real low period.

 

“It was hard to keep my head up when people were doubting if I was still up to the job.

 

“We are coming out of that dark spell now though, and I’m convinced we will go on to enjoy a good season.â€

 

Ferguson was at Pittodrie for eight years and enjoyed the majority of his trophy successes during the second half of his reign.

 

Jimmy laughed when asked if he plans to be around Pittodrie as long.

 

“I reckon the section of Dons fans who have never taken to me would have heart attacks if I ever said that,†he said.

 

“It’s suffice to say I plan to be at Aberdeen as long as they want to keep me here.

 

“I work for good people and have gathered a lot of good people around me.

 

“I’ve signed a three-year contract, and if I see that through, that would take me up to the seven-year mark.

 

“It would be great if I was able to bring some real success back to Pittodrie during that period, although I know I’ve no hope of ever matching what Sir Alex achieved during his time here.â€

 

Calderwood has at least restored respectability to Pittodrie, despite having only a fraction of the cash all of his predecessors since Ferguson had to spend on players.

 

“It’s an honour to have lasted as long as 200 games at a club that has very high ambitions,†he said.

 

“The average job expectancy for football managers in England now is about 14 months.

 

“The pressures on managers to deliver in Scotland are just as intense, but I love my job and thrive on the pressure.

 

“I also know the best of my time at Aberdeen has yet to come.

hey im not complaining its how the money is invested is my grip the future of the club rests with our youth system which at this moment in time is shite

 

i would take a few seasons of slumming it with shite players if we were investing in younger players but at the moment i dont understand teh direction the club is taking, aluko is a fantastic addition to the team but by the sounds of things calderwoods trying to pimp him off, nobody has mentioned alukos name in the press as wanting to go to the old firm so im a bit mistified why calderwood felt the need too

hey im not complaining its how the money is invested is my grip the future of the club rests with our youth system which at this moment in time is shite

 

i would take a few seasons of slumming it with shite players if we were investing in younger players but at the moment i dont understand teh direction the club is taking, aluko is a fantastic addition to the team but by the sounds of things calderwoods trying to pimp him off, nobody has mentioned alukos name in the press as wanting to go to the old firm so im a bit mistified why calderwood felt the need too

 

Bollocks you would.

we sold / released all our good players and havnt really replaced anyone. so not really

 

Please explain how you replace Russell Anderson?

Please explain how you replace Russell Anderson?

 

We were never going to replace Anderson for a player of the same quality, we should still have brought in another centre half though. Whether that be an experienced SPL defender or someone who could provide cover for Considine/Diamond.

We were never going to replace Anderson for a player of the same quality, we should still have brought in another centre half though. Whether that be an experienced SPL defender or someone who could provide cover for Considine/Diamond.

 

Lee Mair?

 

I do agree we should probably have another CH but we cannot hope to replace players of that quality who most likely only stayed beyond what would be normal timescale as he is an AFC lad. You can have more players but they aren't going to "replace" someone like that.

Lee Mair?

 

I do agree we should probably have another CH but we cannot hope to replace players of that quality who most likely only stayed beyond what would be normal timescale as he is an AFC lad. You can have more players but they aren't going to "replace" someone like that.

 

I think Mair was brought in to cover for every position across the back line.

 

As I said above we were never going to bring in a CH equally as good as Anderson.  A stop gap if you like would have done, this imo would help Considine to develop into a very good centre half ala Anderson.

I think Mair was brought in to cover for every position across the back line.

 

As I said above we were never going to bring in a CH equally as good as Anderson.  A stop gap if you like would have done, this imo would help Considine to develop into a very good centre half ala Anderson.

 

That would be a Waste Of Wages, bringing in players that don't improve the squad and spend most of their time on the bench. Calderwood is not allowed to do this. Remember the Rules.

That would be a Waste Of Wages, bringing in players that don't improve the squad and spend most of their time on the bench. Calderwood is not allowed to do this. Remember the Rules.

 

oops!