It`s McGhee

He had been the favourite throughout. And on Friday Mark McGhee was officially unveiled as Jimmy Calderwood`s successor, after Aberdeen and Motherwell finally managed to agree a compensation package for the 52 year old, which is thought to be in the region of £200,000.

McGhee, who will become only the second Gothenburg Great to manage the club (Willie Miller having been the first), has brought Scott Leitch from Motherwell to continue as his assistant.

McGhee was only one of countless names mentioned for the job, including Ossie Adilles, Dean Windass, Darren Ferguson and Eric Black but always seemed the favourite for the job. Willie Miller told the Evening Express of the board`s unanimous decision to pursue McGhee:

“The board was unanimous in the choice of Mark for our new manager.

“As everyone knows, these situations can be extremely delicate and you have to allow for all eventualities.

“The talks have been concluded in our favour, though, and we are very happy with that.

“With the return of European football next month, these are exciting times here at Pittodrie.

“Mark is well known to most Aberdeen FC supporters.

“He also knows what the club means to them and he`s itching to get started.”

McGhee`s appointment was also delayed due to the vacant manager`s position at Celtic, with which he was linked. Only after it appeared he was not in with a shout of the manager`s job at Celtic was McGhee willing to enter talks with Aberdeen, along with Motherwell Chairman John Boyle, who thrashed out the compensation package with Stewart Milne. Boyle himself told the Evening Express of his disappointment at losing McGhee:

“We are extremely sorry to see Mark and Scott leave for Aberdeen FC.

“But it was unrealistic for us to stand in the way of their career ambitions.

“Both were great servants to Motherwell and brought us considerable success in the short spell they were at Fir Park.

“They will be missed by everyone at club and we wish them well in their new roles.”

McGhee, the 21st manager of Aberdeen football club, was officially unveiled at a press conference yesterday at Pittodrie where he was interviewed by journalists. McGhee spoke of penning the deal and his obvious links to Aberdeen and that team of the eighties:

“When I left Pittodrie for Hamburg in 1984 I never imagined I would be back here to manage Aberdeen,” he said.

“I dreamt that one day I would and it is surreal for it to come true.

“Being back is a little strange, but I am delighted.”