Jimmy Thelin backed to get ‘sleeping giant’ Aberdeen back on track

Former Celtic defender Johan Mjallby is excited to see if burgeoning fellow Swede Jimmy Thelin can awaken the “sleeping giant” of Aberdeen.

The 46-year-old will officially take charge of the Dons next month after six years as boss of Elfsborg in his homeland.

Thelin has agreed a three-year contract at Pittodrie and Mjallby – speaking at Hampden on Tuesday to promote the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers this weekend – is looking forward to seeing how his highly-regarded countryman gets on in Scottish football.

“I think the Aberdeen fans should be looking forward to seeing what Jimmy Thelin can offer because he’s done enough in Sweden to get this move,” said Mjallby.

“I’m going to be really interested and looking forward to seeing what he can do at Aberdeen.

“They are a sleeping giant, they have been struggling big time results-wise but I think they are getting a manager who is going to be confident he can do something with Aberdeen.”

Mjallby expects Thelin to try to implement a fast-paced brand of attacking football.

“He is a very modern manager,” said the 53-year-old. “He was struggling a wee bit to start with at Elfsborg before he got them playing good, quick counter-attacking football.

“They nearly won the league last season. They’ve been struggling a wee bit this year but that’s probably down to losing players because, like here in Scotland, if you have players doing really well, there is going to be interest from elsewhere and you probably lose them.

“His team are very dynamic. They can play a lot of short passing but they prefer to attack very quickly, go from defence to attack very quickly, but you have to remember Elfsborg play their home games on Astroturf where they can play a bit quicker.

“And also I’d need to know the Aberdeen players to know for certain if that is the best way for them to play.”