Aberdeen lost 3-0 to Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish Cup. Dunfermline Athletic is a side sitting fourth in the second tier. Aberdeen are rudderless and managerless, with Peter Leven appointed interim manager again until the end of the season.
Since Jimmy Thelin's departure in early January, Aberdeen have lost eight of 12 games, winning three, and have lost nine of their past 10 away games, failing to score in the latest eight. Aberdeen are ninth in the Scottish Premiership, just eight points clear of Kilmarnock in the play-off spot. It looks certain there will be no permanent manager until the summer.
Aberdeen's interim manager and captain described the performance as disgraceful, horrendous, embarrassing, atrocious, and unacceptable. Peter Leven stated that Aberdeen are trending in the wrong direction, while Graeme Shinnie said it was one of the worst nights of his career, adding that it had nothing to do with managerial upheaval. Shinnie emphasized that the players are letting the club down, noting the lack of hunger and fight.
Leven expressed fury, apologizing to fans and warning that Aberdeen could be dragged into relegation trouble. Less than a year ago, Dons fans hoped that beating Celtic to lift the Scottish Cup would usher in a bright new era after stuttering league form under Jimmy Thelin. Thelin's reign started with 13 straight wins and 16 unbeaten, but then form and results fell off a cliff.
They held on to secure a fifth-placed finish last season, with the cup triumph giving Thelin some respite from criticism. The pressure returned after one win in their first 11 games this term, and although form improved from October, another dip led to Thelin's exit.