Aberdeen Appoint Mario Frick as Head Coach to Replace Stephen Robinson

Frick follows Robinson, Peter Leven and Jimmy Thelin in leading the side this calendar year. He is the seventh permanent manager since Dave Cormack took control of the club in November 2019. Frick will be assisted by Roman Matter.

Aberdeen did not disclose contract details.

Pittodrie chief executive Adrian Bevington said Frick "demonstrated a clear vision, strong leadership qualities and a deep understanding of what is required to build a successful team". He added that the board was unanimous in its belief that Frick "is the right person to lead Aberdeen forward".

Sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel described Frick as "a strong personality with clear ideas about how he wants his teams to play". He said Frick "brings energy, ambition and a winning mentality".

Frick's record

Frick was capped 125 times as a striker for Liechtenstein and scored 16 international goals, a national record. His former clubs include FC Basel, FC Zurich, St. Gallen and Grasshopper.

As a coach, he got Vaduz promoted in 2020. He then helped Luzern avoid relegation after moving there in 2021.

The following year he guided Luzern to a fourth-placed finish and European qualification. They were knocked out of Conference League qualifying by Lee Johnson's Hibernian.

Aberdeen say Frick has handed top-flight debuts to more than 30 academy players during his coaching career. Hibs striker Thibault Klidje and Aberdeen goalkeeper Marius Muller both played under him.

One of his international goals came at Hampden Park in 2010, in a game Scotland won 2-1 thanks to a late Stephen McManus header.

Pfannenstiel said Aberdeen "were looking for the right person to lead the next chapter" and that he was "convinced Mario has the qualities, character and vision to make a real impact".