'A lot of people' let Thelin down - Leven

Sacked Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin was let down by "a lot of people" but did not lose the Pittodrie dressing room, according to interim boss Peter Leven.

Thelin was dismissed on Sunday with the team eighth in the Scottish Premiership and on a five-match winless run.

The decision came eight months after he guided Aberdeen to their first Scottish Cup in 35 years, beating Celtic on penalties at Hampden.

Leven previously oversaw the first team following Barry Robson's sacking in early 2024 and after interim boss Neil Warnock's short tenure later that year, winning six of his 12 games in charge.

He takes over again for Tuesday's Scottish Premiership trip to Rangers.

"I think a lot of people have, as a collective," Leven said, when asked if the players had let Thelin down.

"I don't think he lost the changing room.

"The players have got to take responsibility. I had a chat [with them]- a few home truths. It's sad that Jimmy's lost his job, but the games are coming thick and fast and I've got to pick them up for tomorrow.

"It's a clean slate, a fresh start. I'll pick the team that I think is good enough to get a result."

Leven made no secret of the fact he wants to be a number one, but says he does not know how long he will be in the Dons technical area.

"I've got my own ambition to be a manager, but I'm just taking it game by game," he said.

"They've not told me [how long I will be in charge], I'm just focused on tomorrow night."

When asked what he wants to see at Ibrox, his response was a straightforward "belief".

He added: "Give them a game plan. I want to see more fight, be brave. It can be a difficult place to go, but I do believe we can go there and get a result. Block out the noise and focus on the team.

"I'll need to get into the players one-to-one and tell them what I want and what the expectation is at the football club."