Neil Warnock 'steps aside' at Aberdeen after short Scotland stint for ...

Neil Warnock has 'stepped aside' as Aberdeen interim boss with the Scottish Premiership side understood to be on the verge of making a permanent appointment.

The former Boro boss has had a tough time of it in Scotland since replacing former Boro midfielder Barry Robson in the Dons hotseat. With no wins in six league games, Aberdeen have slipped to tenth in the league, and are just four points clear of the relegation play-off spot.

In typical Warnock fashion now, the 75-year-old had agreed to take on the role until the end of the season while the club searched for its next permanent boss, taking trusted assistant Ronnie Jepson up to the North of Scotland with him. Despite the bad form, the announcement of his departure came after he guided them to a 2-1 victory over Kilmarnock to send them into the Scottish Cup semi-final.

Speaking after it, Warnock said: “I was honoured to lead Aberdeen for a short period to help Dave and the Board get themselves into a position where they could get closer to making a permanent appointment. It goes without saying that I had hoped I could’ve collected a few more league wins along the way, but I am also delighted to have helped the club into the Scottish Cup semi-final. I hope they can now go on and lift the trophy.

“Ronnie and I can’t thank the fans enough for their support while we’ve been here and we wish the club and the supporters all the very best for the remainder of the season and for the future.”

Chairman Dave Cormack added in a club statement: “The Club would like to thank both Neil and Ronnie Jepson for their efforts. With the search for a new manager at an advanced stage, Peter Leven will assume control of all first-team matters until the process is concluded.”