Neil Warnock quits Aberdeen after Scottish Cup win over Kilmarnock

Aberdeen interim manager Neil Warnock has stepped aside immediately after guiding the team to the Scottish Cup semi-finals.

The club announced his departure minutes after a 3-1 victory over Kilmarnock that earned the team a place in the last four at Hampden.

Aberdeen say that they are now close to making a permanent appointment at Pittodrie, with an appointment likely to be made before Wednesday’s Premiership clash at Dundee.

In a statement published on the club website shortly after full time, chairman Dave Cormack said: “The club would like to thank both Neil and Ronnie Jepson for their efforts.

“With the search for a new manager at an advanced stage, Peter Leven will assume control of all first team matters until the process is concluded.”

New Warnock added: “I was honoured to lead Aberdeen for a short period to help Dave and the board get themselves into a position where they could get closer to making a permanent appointment.

“It goes without saying that I had hoped I could’ve collected a few more league wins along the way, but I am also delighted to have helped the club into the Scottish Cup Semi Final. I hope they can now go on and lift the trophy.”

“Ronnie and I can’t thank the fans enough for their support while we’ve been here and we wish the club and the supporters all the very best for the remainder of the season and for the future.”

Veteran boss Warnock, who has held over 20 managerial jobs, was brought in after Barry Robson’s sacking and given a contract until the end of the season.He was recruited with the aim of helping the team climb the Premiership table as well as targetting Scottish Cup success.

Though the Englishman took Aberdeen past Bonnyrigg Rose and Kilmarnock and into the last four of the cup, he could not engineer an improvement in league form.

The Dons failed to win in all six of the Premiership matches of his short tenure, with a 2-1 defeat at St Mirren last weekend, after Aberdeen had held a 1-0 lead until the 95th minute, had put pressure on the manager and players.

Speaking after the announcement of his departure, Warnock said he thought his successor needed to be in early to begin making decisions about squad changes in the summer.

He said: “All along I have said that I would try and help them out and give them my advice.

“My advice is to get a new manager in as soon as possible. They’re well down the line.

“I think it needs quite an overhaul in the summer. It’s no good waiting until the summer and they’ve listened to me.

“I’m glad I’ve been able to get the fans to the semi-final if I’m honest. I thought we were superb in every department today, if I’m honest.

“It was a really good way to end.”

Warnock revealed that talks had taken place well ahead of the cup tie at Pittodrie on Saturday.,

“We had a chat on Thursday and I said I did think it was the right time to bring somebody in and I don’t think they’re far away now,” he explained.

“If it’s one game or whatever then Peter Leven is okay. The lads know what they’re doing now.

“Obviously I felt I wanted to win today and finish like that. We’ve left amicably and I just wish I could have got a few more points.”