Experienced duo Brown and Knox were a success at Fir Park

Craig Brown has been confirmed as the new manager of Aberdeen alongside assistant Archie Knox, taking over from Mark McGhee who was sacked last week.

Brown and Knox resigned from their posts at Fir Park on Thursday evening.

The pair, who had been working without a contract at Motherwell, have signed two and a half year deals at Pittodrie.

"Craig and Archie were our first choice and it's fantastic that they've agreed to come on board," said Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne.

Motherwell announced on Wednesday that the veteran duo were staying after holding talks with Aberdeen.

However, a second approach triggered a U-turn, which has left the Steelmen seeking sanctions against the Dons.

Brown told BBC Scotland on Friday that the manager's post at Pittodrie was "a better job" than the one he had at Motherwell.

"It was important to confirm the new team as quickly as possible while at the same time ensuring we secured the correct people," said Milne.

"It's only thanks to a great deal of hard work and determination over the course of this week that we've managed to conclude things so quickly.

"In particular, I would like to thank Duncan and Willie for their efforts this week in assisting me to persuade Craig and Archie their futures lay at Pittodrie.

"Neil Cooper and Neil Simpson, who have done an excellent job in the interim, will be in the dugout for Saturday's match at Tynecastle with Craig and Archie being introduced to the media on Monday morning prior to taking their first training session."

Motherwell had requested that their Scottish Premier League rivals postpone the appointment until after the sides meet at Pittodrie on 18 December.

Craig and Archie were our first choice and it's fantastic that they've agreed to come on board Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne

The Fir Park club's chairman John Boyle told BBC Scotland: "I think that it would be a sporting gesture for Aberdeen, Craig and Archie to wait until we play them a week on Saturday before taking up their new position.

"By doing that it would help Motherwell and we would feel that things are being done in a slightly better manner than they have been in the last couple of days."

On the issue of the delayed appointment, Brown told BBC Scotland: "Our employer will advise us on what he wants us to do, and that's what we'll do."

Brown insisted he only met Dons chairman Stewart Milne on Tuesday "out of courtesy", while stressing it would be a huge wrench to leave Fir Park.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Give your reaction to this story

The 70-year-old former Scotland boss rejoined Motherwell in December 2009, initially on an interim basis following the sacking of Jim Gannon, and looked set to finish his coaching career where it began in 1974.

But explaining his change of heart, he told BBC Scotland: "It's being a bit selfish but, when someone offers you a better job, I think it's understandable that we would be tempted.

"Impulsively, we said no because of the fantastic response from the staff, players and fans at Motherwell.

"But when asked to reconsider, we did. And I believe everyone has a right to change their mind."

Brown has swapped the challenge of securing Motherwell's fourth successive European adventure for an immediate fight at the bottom of the SPL.

And he is looking forward to his new role, while insisting personal finances were never a consideration.

"We know there are high expectations in Aberdeen and we have high expectations for every team we have anything to do with," he added.

"We're not magicians, we're not saying we're going to do this or that, we're just going to work contentiously and diligently.

"We just thought that potentially Aberdeen is a better job because the fan base is much bigger.

"And they have a tradition which is exceptional."

Brown and Knox will move on without compensation due to Motherwell.

Knox has an Aberdeen connection, having worked with great success as assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Pittodrie in the early 1980s.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version