Spanish boss Ricardo Rodriguez has emerged as the frontrunner for the Aberdeen hot seat - and is keen on the Pittodrie hotseat.
The search for Jim Goodwin 's successor is continuing with chief executive Alan Burrows hard at work after leaving Scottish Premiership rivals Motherwell for the Dons, with Barry Robson leading the side as it stands. The interim boss has helped get Aberdeen back on track with the club stabilising in the top six of the table when the club appeared to be in freefall after heavy defeats to Hearts and Hibs either side of the Scottish Cup humiliation against Darvel.
Despite positives from Robson's tenure so far, the Dons have to get the next appointment right after Goodwin and Stephen Glass' failures and could look east at a man with significant J-League success. Record Sport understands that the former Urawa Red Diamonds boss has made it clear to the club’s top brass that he is serious about taking the top job in the Granite City.
Ange Postecoglou has found success in Scotland after leaving Japan, so could Rodriguez follow in his footsteps? We look at the man who has made the four–man shortlist for the hot seat.
Who is Ricardo Rodriguez?
Having come through the youth ranks as a player at Oviedo, the 48-year-old would start his football odyssey when he kickstarted his coaching career at the Spanish minnows leading the reserve side. His work with the club would see Real Madrid take notice, when he was selected to lead the youth school in Mexico before stepping into the dugout for the first time.
He would get the chance at Girona as he led the club to promotion from the Spanish Third Division, before rolling the dice and taking charge of the Malaga B team. He would step into various roles behind the scenes at the club as they reached La Liga, including assistant boss and director of football.
After leaving La Roselada, he would pick up roles in Saudi Arabia and Thailand either side of an ill-fated return to Girona - where he lasted less than six months as boss in the Segunda Division. However, he found his feet in Japanese football where he led Tokushima Vortis to the J-League2 title.
Urawa Red Diamonds would take notice and handed Rodriguez the reins in 2021 - where he led the club to the Emperor's Cup in his debut campaign before seeing off J-League champions Kawasaki Frontale to lift the Japanese Super Cup. Rodriguez had been set to lead the club out in the Asian Champions League final next month, but decided to step down to pursue opportunities away from Japan.
How does he set his teams up?
During his time with Tokushima Vortis and Urawa Red Diamonds, Rodriguez became well-known for his high press. Explaining to The Coaches Voice what his football philosophy is, he said: "It is based on positional play, on being quite proactive, executing a high press – and with the boldness of being able to work with young players."
He would set up his side with two full-backs that were encouraged to flood forward, while he opted to have a sitting midfielder keeping the game ticking over. It will be a style that is very familiar to Celtic fans, and speaking of the man leading the champions...
So, is this Ange Postecoglou 2.0?
The comparisons are there to be made. Both found success in the J-League with similar styles, and as Rodriguez looked to find success in the J-League, he took a look at Postecoglou's homework and how he had found success with Yokohama F Marinos. Speaking ahead of
Speaking to Optus Sport, he said: "I see the path to success at Urawa as similar to that Postecoglou had further south in Yokohama This year is to create the team and create the style.
"Of course try to stay in the highest position possible, but this year we create the basis, work with the club to improve the squad, analyse the players we want and the players we have and next year try to get the title – that’s the idea we have in mind.”
What is his experience of the Scottish game?
Well, in truth, none. But he has shown an active interest in British football since leaving the J-League.
After leaving Malaga in 2010 he spent time living in London as he learned English, and has stated he would regularly go and watch Arsenal, Fulham and Charlton. And earlier this year he has admitted the decision to leave Urawa Red Diamonds was fuelled by a hope of landing a top job in the UK.
Speaking to Sky Sports amid links with the Everton job, he said: "It was a very difficult decision (to leave Urawa Red Diamonds). But I needed to use this time to analyse football in England. I knew that to leave Asia I would have to have a break because of the calendar. I don't like to leave in the middle of a season so I decided to stop."
He might now have the experience, but it would signal a bold but brave move from Aberdeen and newly appointed Alan Burrows.
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