Dodds is urging ambitious Dons to stay realistic over future goals
PUSHING Celtic and Rangers in a title race is ‘the goal’ for a new era at Aberdeen, according to incoming chairman Dave Cormack. It is the scope for own goals being made in chasing such lofty long-term targets that is a nagging concern for ex-Dons striker Billy Dodds.
On the back of a vice-chairman stint, bringing investors to Pittodrie, helping fund the new training ground named after him and establishing a strategic partnership with Atlanta United, Cormack is set to take the helm.
The America-based software multi-millionaire and lifelong Dons fan suggested that the shake-up and funding would permit Aberdeen to punch above their weight.
Surely, though, that’s what manager Derek McInnes has achieved in six-and-a-half years of consistently high league finishes, Hampden appearances and European campaigns — all of which are the envy of clubs outwith the Old Firm.
Cormack has brought many things to the Pittodrie table in the past two years — energy, finance, ideas, expertise and ambition.
But by bringing the Old Firm, currently in a ding-dong title race for the first time in almost a decade and flying high in the Europa League, into the argument, Dodds ponders if Cormack possesses a realistic handle on where Aberdeen’s expectations should be pitched.
‘There’s no way that £5million is going to get you in amongst Rangers and Celtic every season when you look at the money being spent by those two clubs right now,’ stated Dodds.
‘Dave Cormack can’t judge Derek or any Aberdeen manager by thinking he can keep touch with Rangers and Celtic the way things are going there.
‘Finishing “best of the rest” and a good Cup run, hopefully to the final, and winning a trophy in the next few years — that would be about right for Aberdeen.
‘My advice to Dave Cormack would be to have ambition, that’s absolutely fine and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, it must be tinged with realism — otherwise this could spell trouble for Aberdeen.
‘Because that might mean change at some point — and a bad decision at the top could take the club back the way. If the expectations are far too high, then I fear that could affect things negatively at Aberdeen and for Derek. Whether this chairman can be realistic or not, I don’t know.’
Dodds has cautioned Cormack (right) to place faith in McInnes, who has come under fire lately from a section of Aberdeen supporters but whose long-term record understandably led outgoing chairman Stewart Milne to opine that hiring him was best decision of a 22-year tenure.
Milne and McInnes made no secret of their feelings for each other in mutual testimonials as an enduring chairman-manager partnership approached a natural conclusion.
It is obviously unclear what the working relationship will be like for Cormack and McInnes after the official changing of the guard on December 16.
‘With new investment comes pressure and some uncertainty at a club,’ said Dodds. ‘That’s natural. This has happened at many places over the years.
‘Derek’s working relationship with Stewart Milne was so good, so tight, that it is understandable if there is a bit of concern being felt. There would be small question marks about the new guy coming in. From my point of view, there should be credit in the bank so it’s not a case where Derek must prove himself all over again.
‘But if I was the Aberdeen manager, I would maybe be wondering about having to reaffirm to the new chairman that I know exactly what needs to be done — and that I am the man to do it.
‘Derek never had to go and reassure Stewart, even through a little spell of dodgy form. Because his record spoke for itself and there was implicit trust. That trust wasn’t misplaced.
‘Derek always got back on track and got that high-placed finish in the league or into a cup final.
‘Stewart said as much the other day when he put the message out that the best decision he’d made was hiring Derek. He realised what Derek did for the club and Derek, in turn, had total backing.
‘Does that change now? I’m not saying he doesn’t have backing but there may be a bit more to prove. It’s important that
Dave Cormack recognises that the guy in the job knows what he’s doing and that’s been the case for years.’
The reshuffle features a raft of boardroom changes. Chief executive Duncan Fraser steps down after 17 years, although remaining a non-executive along with Milne. Ian Jack, Duncan Skinner and Craig Brown also clear the deck for the new investors and MLS franchise Atlanta United’s president Darren Eales is joining the board.
Dodds is glad that Milne at least remains on the scene, if not calling the shots, to provide any perspective required. He added: ‘Listen, Derek is clever enough to know he’s not bombproof. If Aberdeen go on a long, terrible run he would be the first to hold his hands up.
‘But there are far too many in football these days who don’t allow the managers they hired to have a bad run and let them fix the problem.
‘That’s why I think it’s important Stewart Milne is still on the premises. To have that middle man for Dave Cormack to listen to, whether he wants to or not. There has to be a balancing act.’
As the man who assisted Jim McIntyre to elevate Ross County to League Cup glory and the top six and was dismissed 15 months later, Dodds is well aware of the perils when unrealistic expectation blinds ambition.
‘You may not think it relative to Ross County because it’s a different level but I can understand the issues with realism,’ said Dodds.
‘We got top six and won a trophy. Maintaining that is the most difficult thing you can do as a management team. You hit ceilings in football and it’s extremely hard to do any better.
‘For Ross County, staying up should be the target to be happy every season.
‘Yet, I think top six then became the ambition.’