Mario Frick has been named the new head coach of Aberdeen, replacing Stephen Robinson who was dismissed on 9 November, the club has announced. The 52-year-old former Liechtenstein striker joins from Swiss side Luzern, where he spent five years before leaving in the summer.
Frick, capped 125 times for Liechtenstein and the country's all-time leading scorer with 16 international goals, takes over a side second bottom of the Scottish Premiership with just three wins from 12 outings this season.
He becomes the seventh permanent manager since Dave Cormack took control of the club in November 2019. Frick will be assisted by Roman Matter.
Aberdeen chief executive Adrian Bevington said Frick "demonstrated a clear vision, strong leadership qualities and a deep understanding of what is required to build a successful team". He added that the board was "unanimous in its belief that he is the right person to lead Aberdeen Football Club forward".
Sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel described Frick as "a strong personality with clear ideas about how he wants his teams to play", bringing "energy, ambition and a winning mentality".
Frick previously managed Vaduz in the Swiss Super League, securing promotion in 2020, before moving to Luzern in 2021 where he helped the club avoid relegation and then guided them to a fourth-placed finish and European qualification. The club statement noted that Frick has "built a strong reputation for transforming teams, handing top-flight debuts to more than 30 academy players during his coaching career".
Former Motherwell and St Mirren boss Robinson was dismissed on 9 November. No contract details were disclosed.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Aberdeen are second bottom of the Scottish Premiership with only three wins from 12 games; Frick's immediate task is to lift the team away from relegation trouble.
- The appointment continues a period of instability at Pittodrie, with Frick becoming the seventh permanent manager since November 2019.
- Frick's track record of developing young players and transforming struggling sides could signal a shift in the club's long-term approach.
Background
Aberdeen sacked Stephen Robinson on 9 November after a poor start to the season. Frick, a former Liechtenstein striker with 125 caps and 16 international goals, most recently managed Luzern in Switzerland, leaving after five years in the summer. He previously led Vaduz to promotion in 2020 and guided Luzern to a fourth-placed finish and European qualification in 2022. The club has emphasised his reputation for giving academy players first-team opportunities.
What to Watch
- Frick's first few matches will indicate whether his style of play can quickly reverse the team's fortunes.
- The January transfer window may see movement if Frick looks to bring in players he knows, though no specific plans have been announced.
- The board's patience after seven managerial changes in seven years will be tested if results do not improve rapidly.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedMario Frick was named Aberdeen’s new head coach, replacing Stephen Robinson.BBC Scotland: “Mario Frick has been announced as the new head coach of Aberdeen, taking over from the sacked Stephen Robinson.”
- SupportedFrick is Liechtenstein’s all-time leading scorer with 16 international goals.BBC Scotland: “his 16 international goals make him Liechtenstein's all-time top scorer.”
- SupportedRobinson was dismissed on 9 November.BBC Scotland: “Former Motherwell and St Mirren boss Robinson was dismissed on 9 November”
- SupportedFrick left Luzern in the summer after five years there.BBC Scotland: “the 52-year-old was last in charge at Luzern, leaving the Swiss club after five years in the summer.”
- SupportedFrick was capped 125 times as a striker for Liechtenstein.BBC Scotland: “Capped 125 times as a striker for Liechtenstein”
- SupportedBevington said Frick demonstrated “a clear vision, strong leadership qualities and a deep understanding of what is required to build a successful team”.BBC Scotland: “"Throughout our discussions, he demonstrated a clear vision, strong leadership qualities and a deep understanding of what is required to build a successful team," said Pittodrie chief executive Adrian Bevington.”
- SupportedBevington said the board was “unanimous in its belief that he is the right person to lead Aberdeen Football Club forward”.BBC Scotland: “the board was unanimous in its belief that he is the right person to lead Aberdeen Football Club forward.”
- SupportedPfannenstiel described Frick as “a strong personality with clear ideas about how he wants his teams to play” and said he brings “energy, ambition and a winning mentality”.BBC Scotland: “"Mario is a strong personality with clear ideas about how he wants his teams to play," added sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel. "He brings energy, ambition and a winning mentality”
- SupportedAberdeen are second bottom of the Premiership, with three wins from 12 outings this season.BBC Scotland: “Aberdeen did not disclose contract details for Frick as he takes over a side with just three wins from 12 Premiership outings this season.”
- SupportedFrick is the seventh permanent manager since Dave Cormack took control in November 2019.BBC Scotland: “Frick is the seventh permanent manager since Dave Cormack took control of the club in November 2019.”
- SupportedFrick will be assisted by Roman Matter.BBC Scotland: “Frick, who also managed Vaduz in the Swiss Super League, will be assisted by Roman Matter.”
- SupportedAberdeen did not disclose Frick’s contract details.BBC Scotland: “Aberdeen did not disclose contract details for Frick”