Mark settles in at Aberdeen FC
McGhee’s first official day in charge
Published:
NEW Aberdeen FC manager Mark McGhee has wasted no time in settling into life as Pittodrie gaffer.
In his first official day in charge at Aberdeen FC, the 52-year-old took the squad through their paces in two tough training sessions.
He also laid down his vision for a Reds Revolution at a 9am meeting with the players.
And, after a busy programme, McGhee found time to return to his office to evaluate his first day as the manager.
As he begins life at Pittodrie, he admits it “strange’’ to be in the hot-seat once occupied by his former boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
McGhee laughed: “The last time I was in the manager’s office at Pittodrie was in the 80s when I was probably getting a slap from Sir Alex.
“So to be in that office as the club’s manager, knowing I have the ability to do that, is strange.
“But it is fantastic to finally be in place at the club.
“Aberdeen was a great club and city for me as a player and I would love to give something back for that.
“It is a club where the supporters have high expectations, and there is nothing wrong with that.
“Our aim is to meet those expectations and move the club forward.
“My first day as manager went well and I was very impressed with the players’ attitudes.”
McGhee breezed into Pittodrie and immediately organised a full squad meeting.
Held in the bowels of the Main Stand at 9am, the 52-year-old, and his assistant Scott Leitch, outlined where they aim to take the club.
In a meeting that lasted nearly 90 minutes, they addressed the squad they have inherited and set out their vision for the Dons.
But McGhee revealed it was far from one-way traffic, as the players were also encouraged to voice their opinions.
“The early meeting went very well,” he said.
“We discussed various issues, including what we expect from the players.
“In the meeting we discussed pre-season, the European games and my ideas on discipline.
“One of the issues we highlighted was that we want to build upon what Jimmy Calderwood achieved.
“Aberdeen finished fourth in the last two seasons and we are here to take that forward.
“However, the players also let us know what they expect from the management team.
“They showed that they were behind us by the enthusiasm shown in the first training session at Balgownie Playing Fields.
“It was a very positive meeting.”
Following that early meeting, the Dons left for Balgownie for their first training session under the new boss.
And McGhee admits that as he travelled to the Bridge of Don facility, his mind drifted back to when he was a player at the height of the Dons’ success.
“Training at Balgownie was excellent, as it was very sunny and the pitches looked in great condition,” he said.
“I have no complaints about those facilities, but I also know that come November when the wind is coming in off the North Sea it will be a little bit different.
“When I was a player at Pittodrie we mainly trained at Seaton Park, although we did use Balgownie.
“There was a sense of deja vu as I drove up to Balgownie.
“It was a strange, but warm feeling that brought me back to happy times.”
McGhee had promised a gruelling opening session for the Dons.
And on a sun-baked Balgownie as the mercury rose he was true to his word, taking the players through a succession of sprints, sit-ups and press-ups.
“I was impressed with their enthusiasm in training and they all looked fit and slim,” he said.
“In that first day I cannot assess the players, so it was just a case of settling in.
“Sometimes players do not want to train in the sun, but when I was a player I always enjoyed it and it is easier on the muscles.
“Most of the sharpness and fitness over pre-season will come from dynamic interval work with the ball, it will no just be about endurance running.
“We will be training three times a day in Austria.’’
Change takes time, and McGhee realises it will be no overnight transformation at Pittodrie.
The 52-year-old is overseeing a period of transition at the club where he made his name as a player, and will make changes.
“I will introduce different aspects to the way they train and play,” he said.
“A change of manager is a big thing for both a club and the players.
“But now we have to move on and see what the future holds.”
