Dwight Yorke has told Aberdeen he is the manager they need to get the fans flocking back to Pittodrie as he urged Reds chiefs to go for him over Chris Wilder.
Record Sport exclusively revealed new chief executive Alan Burrows had held talks with experienced former Middlesbrough boss Wilder as they look to appoint Jim Goodwin’s successor. But ex Manchester United and Aston Villa striker Yorke has put himself ahead of Wilder.
We first revealed the 51-year-old former Macarthur FC manager’s interest in the vacancy and he has made another pitch after learning of Wilder talks. He told Football Odds: “I know of Chris. If Aberdeen are looking for a young, innovative, aspiring manager who wants to play good, attacking football on the front foot then I'm the guy they need. If you're looking for an old, traditional guy with experience then maybe I'm not the right guy, but if you want some excitement and more fans through the turnstile then I am the guy they need. I can come with new ideas, excitement and make people have an identity with the club again. I'm a manager seeking a job because I currently don't have one and I can't turn my nose up at any job.
“I have to respect every team, and Aberdeen are a huge club. The greatest manager of all time has managed them so I'm fully aware of their history. I've always admired Scottish football and as an aspiring manager and if there becomes a point where I am the guy to take them forward then I want to have that conversation. That conversation hasn't happened yet but I'm in the same boat as every other manager having to apply for jobs so that's what I've done.”
Rangers legend and Record Sport columnist Barry Ferguson played alongside Yorke at Blackburn Rovers and dismissed Yorke’s claims that he could end the Old Firm's Scottish football stranglehold. But Yorke said: “Barry is a Rangers boy isn't he, so you can understand his loyalty. I know Barry because I played with him at Blackburn. I've been a winner everywhere I've gone as a player, I won at Sunderland, Man United, Sydney and Aston Villa. You won't win if you don't believe in yourself. Breaking the Old Firm isn't impossible and I just don't understand how people have that mindset because it's not the way I think. That's why I'm different from everyone else.”
Ally McCoist did speak highly of Yorke, and the Trinidadian said: “It was nice to hear Ally McCoist's comments. To have a recommendation from Ally, who's not only respected as a player, but also as a pundit is great. It's an amazing thing to hear from him and I feel that when you look at Scottish football's dominance from the top two, people just accept that and I'm always one to defy the odds. I've always liked the underdogs. Leicester City winning the Premier League is a prime example.
"Breaking the Old Firm's dominance can be done, but it won't be done if everyone keeps hyping up the two clubs. It's not impossible to break them, that's always been my mindset. You have to try and change the narrative to be successful. If you don't, then you won't ever achieve it.”
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