By Peter Gilbert
Last Updated: 15/06/17 9:50pm
Derek McInnes has decided to stay at Aberdeen after failing to agree a deal with Sunderland.
McInnes had been given permission to talk to Sunderland after the relegated Premier League club agreed a compensation package with the Dons.
However, the 43-year-old, who last season led the Dons to a second-place finish in the Scottish Premiership, has decided along with his assistant Tony Docherty against succeeding David Moyes at the Stadium of Light.
“Aberdeen Football Club is pleased to confirm that manager Derek McInnes and assistant Tony Docherty have elected to remain at Pittodrie until at least the summer of 2019,” the Dons confirmed in a statement on their website.
Chairman Stewart Milne added: “I am personally absolutely delighted that Derek and Tony have agreed to stay and have never doubted their commitment to the club.
“Given what Derek has achieved here, there is inevitably going to be interest from other clubs and in making the decision to stay, he has demonstrated how much Aberdeen football club means to him. It is now up to all of us, the board, staff, players and supporters to show how much we appreciate having him at the helm by getting right behind him in every way possible.
“I make no bones about it, it would have been a massive blow to lose Derek at this time, not only when we are about to embark on the new season, but knowing that so much more can be achieved with them driving the club forward.
McInnes added. “As the chairman has said, I have ambitions in the game and while there was interest from elsewhere, and I did talk to Sunderland, I feel there is so much still to be done here at Aberdeen. While we have lost players from last season, they will be replaced by signings of similar quality and our first challenge is to reach the group stages of the Europa League after coming so close in each of the last three seasons.
“Since the first day I arrived at Pittodrie, my biggest gripe has been the lack of training facilities and, with progress at last on that front, it’s something I am keen to see through to its conclusion.
“The delivery of these training and community facilities are vital, for helping retain our top players, attracting new players to the club, the development of our young players, and equally importantly enable us to play a far greater role in the wider community. I sincerely hope everyone across the Region can pull together to help develop these facilities”.
Sunderland CEO Martin Bain said: “We have been in discussions with a number of potential manager candidates over recent weeks. In the last few days we have been negotiating with Aberdeen Football Club in order to allow us to speak with Derek McInnes. Having held initial discussions, both ourselves and Derek have decided not to progress with further talks and we will continue with our recruitment process”.
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