Under-pressure Jim Goodwin insists he has the full backing of Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack – despite Wednesday night’s Tynecastle humiliation.
The Dons boss and his players have been left in the firing line for a disastrous run of results, with the latest a 5-0 capitulation to Hearts. Goodwin has been in constant dialogue with chairman Cormack and met him to discuss strengthening the squad and getting the Dons out of their predicament.
When asked about dialogue with Cormack, Goodwin said: “Yes. We have been back and forth on WhatsApp. He’s here in the UK and he’ll be popping into the training ground after this so we’ll have a catch-up. It’s very much full steam ahead as far as we’re concerned – myself, the director of football (Steve Gunn), the chairman, the staff and the players. We recognise a result like last night is not acceptable for a club of this size and we all take responsibility with that. Together and with hard work we can get it sorted.”
The Dons went into the World Cup break in third spot but have since won just once and dropped to fifth. There is growing unrest among the Red Army over that collapse.
Goodwin knows the Pittodrie board, who sacked Stephen Glass last season, have backed him and expects that to continue. He said: “The support I’ve had internally from the board and my own backroom team has been exceptional.
“We’ve had good support from the supporters too. I understand their frustration and disappointment about what happened last night but we are on the right track.
"I always said it wasn’t going to be a quick fix. You can’t change it overnight. The one good thing about this club is that there has always been stability and in recent history they always tend to back their managers and give them the support they need.
“I’ve had great backing here since I walked through the door here and as far as I’m concerned that will continue.”
Goodwin, who arrived in a shock appointment from St Mirren last season, is adamant he is the man to get Aberdeen back to where they need to be.
He added: “Absolutely. I really do. We have made a lot of changes on and off the park. We have made great improvements that maybe some people don’t get to see.
"There’s a lot of good work going on behind the scenes but ultimately all of that is in the shadows because the most important thing is results. I still very much believe that I’m the man to take the club forward.
"I’ve never shied away from a challenge at any point in my career and I certainly won’t do that now. I love the job that I’ve got.
"I’m very proud to be the manager of Aberdeen and I’m going to fight tooth and nail to get this sorted. I’ll fight to get us back to winning ways and give us an opportunity to finish among those European places before the end of the season.”
Goodwin pulled his players into a clear-the-air meeting yesterday and believes they are all on the same page. He is looking at options, including Sunderland’s Bailey Wright, to strengthen his leaky defence.
The Irishman said: “I spoke at length about the disappointment, the embarrassment and the humiliation that we all felt after the game. We’ve tried to clear the air this morning in a player and staff meeting.
"We are all in agreement that there are lessons to be learned and we have to do that very quickly and make sure we get back to winning ways.”
