Derek McInnes is staying with Aberdeen FC it was announced tonight – after turning down a reported £900,000 a year deal with Sunderland.
The 45-year-old and his assistant Tony Docherty have rejected Sunderland’s approach in favour of rebuilding the team for a fresh Europa League qualifying campaign next month.
McInnes gave Dons supporters the news they wanted to hear on Thursday night when, following talks with Black Cats chief executive Martin Bain, he decided against moving to the English Championship club.
The Aberdeen manager would have tripled his wages to £900,000 if he moved to the Stadium of Light but has decided to continue his work at the club.
He 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.”
McInnes has campaigned for a permanent training ground to be built from the moment he arrived at the club and having seen progress being made on the club’s attempts to relocate to a new stadium and training ground the Dons manager believes he owes it to the club to see the project through.
He said: “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.
“The recent investment in the club from Dave Cormack, who has rejoined the board, now puts us in an even healthier situation financially and that will allow us to be in a position to take the club to the next stage.
“We have improved season on season and that is not something I’m planning on changing.”