Aberdeen have sacked manager Jimmy Thelin after 18 months in charge.

The Dons parted company with Thelin after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Falkirk – their fourth loss in five games.

That latest disappointing result left them eighth in the Scottish Premiership table, 19 points behind leaders Hearts.

Sky Sports News understands Thelin was informed of the club’s decision earlier on Sunday, with the players told later in the day.

Thelin led Aberdeen to silverware last season as they beat Celtic to lift the Scottish Cup in May.

But the club made their worst start to a season in 26 years this term, losing their first seven games.

A run of eight games unbeaten across November and December had seemingly put the club on an upwards trajectory, but the board have acted after a fresh slump.

The highs and lows of Thelin’s time

Thelin signed a three-year deal upon his arrival at Pittodrie in June 2024, having led Elfsborg to two second-placed finishes in the Swedish top flight.

He made a dream start, winning all 13 of his first 13 games across all competitions – beating Martin O’Neill’s record of 12 at Celtic for the best-ever start as a manager in Scotland.

In fact, 10 league wins from 11 saw the unbeaten Dons challenge Celtic at the top of the Premiership, before a 14-game winless run saw them drop down the table – eventually finishing fifth.

However, Thelin did go on to deliver the first Scottish Cup trophy for Aberdeen in 35 years as they beat Celtic in the final in May.

This season, Aberdeen were knocked out of Europa League after defeat to Romanian club Steaua Bucuresti before Motherwell knocked them out of the League Cup – adding to the club’s Premiership woes.

There was hope things could be turned around following a busy Deadline Day that saw winger Jesper Karlsson join from Bologna, alongside Scotland striker Kevin Nisbet and midfielder Stuart Armstrong.

Thelin’s side continued to disappoint in Europa as well as domestically, finishing second bottom of the Conference League with two draws and six losses from their six group games.

And despite a brief upturn, a Falkirk defeat that saw Thelin tinker with his formation in vain prompted the club to act.