Former Aston Villa and Wolves manager linked with potential top flight vacancy with boss ‘under pressure’

The 2022/23 season has reached the halfway point in both England and Scotland and there have already been several managerial changes across the Premier League, Football League and SPFL.

The latest club who could be on the lookout for a new head coach are Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen, who were beaten by sixth tier Darvel in the Scottish Cup on Monday night. That result, one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s history, was a sixth defeat in seven matches for the Dons who are now holding ‘talks’ over the future of head coach Jim Goodwin.

If the one time European Cup Winners’ Cup and Super Cup winners do part company with their current gaffer, then reports suggest a former Aston Villa and Wolves head coach could be the early front runner for the vacancy. The Scottish Sun claim that Paul Lambert would be the ‘favourite’ for the job if Goodwin is sacked.

Lambert was in charge at Villa Park between 2012 and 2015 and then later at Molineux between 2016 and 2017. His spell with Villa was far more memorable compared to his brief stint with Wanderers where he was in charge for just 33 matches. His last job was with Ipswich Town in EFL League One but the 53-year old has not worked since leaving Portman Road in February 2021.

A move to the Dons, which will of course depend on whether or not they do decide to part ways with Jim Goodwin, would be a first job in Scottish football for the Celtic icon since his brief spell with Livingston between 2005 and 2006 - his first ever managerial position. However, Lambert has recenty commented that he would be ‘open’ to managing in Scotland again.

Meanwhile, there are a few names with links to West Brom that are also said to be amongst the contenders if the vacancy does become available at Pittodrie. Former players Darren Fletcher, Michael Appleton and Derek McInnes are all reported as potential candidates.

Fletcher is currently Technical Director at Manchester United while Appleton recently left the Baggies’ EFL Championship rivals Blackpool. McInnes spent eight years in charge of Aberdeen but was somewhat surprisingly let go despite his achievements and is currently in charge of their Scottish Premiership rivals Kilmarnock.