Aberdeen are closing in on appointing Eirik Horneland as their new head coach, though the Norwegian may not join until the summer. The 50-year-old, formerly of Saint-Etienne, impressed club chiefs during recent talks with sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel, who has led the search since Jimmy Thelin's sacking in January.

Horneland's situation is complicated by compensation negotiations with Saint-Etienne, where he left last month, and his preference to join at the end of the current Scottish Premiership season rather than mid-campaign. The Dons remain confident he'll lead the club next season and are in advanced talks to finalize the appointment. Pfannenstiel has been a long-term admirer of Horneland's work, having previously attempted to sign him for Fortuna Düsseldorf and St Louis City.

Meanwhile, former Aberdeen assistant Tony Docherty has returned to help interim manager Peter Leven during this transition period. Docherty, who spent eight years with the club under Derek McInnes, will join Leven's management team as Aberdeen sits seventh in the Premiership, 11 points outside the top six. The club hopes to announce their new head coach imminently as they prepare for upcoming fixtures against Motherwell and Dundee.