Jimmy Thelin was unable to build on leading Aberdeen to their eighth Scottish Cup triumph at Hampden in May and they head to Dunfermline on Saturday still searching for a new manager two months after the Swede’s departure.
Defeat at home to Celtic on Wednesday, albeit they gave the Scottish champions a run for their money before losing 2-1, ended their hopes of a top-six finish and leaves their bid to retain the knock-out trophy as their last chance to rescue something from a disappointing season.
If Sandro Schwarz, who recently left his post as New York Red Bulls head coach, is an interested observer for a second game in a row, speculation will increase that the German is more than just “one candidate” to take over from interim boss Peter Leven this summer.
Opposition boss Neil Lennon insists that his side, sitting fourth in the second tier, are “massive underdogs”, but the visitors’ win over Motherwell in the previous round is their only victory in seven outings and they have not scored in their latest seven games in a row.
Inconsistency has dogged Lennon’s side this season, but they are unbeaten in their latest three outings, have not lost at home in four, and won the latest two without conceding a goal.
Aberdeen will hope history repeats after easing the Pars aside 3-0 at Pittodrie on their way to Hampden glory last season and they also won on their last visit to East End Park, in the League Cup in 2012.
However, the Pars will also hope that history repeats given they last reached the quarter-finals in 2009, when they also hosted Aberdeen and, after a 1-1 draw at East End Park and a 0-0 draw at Pittodrie, they progressed on penalties.
How they got there:
Two-time winners Dunfermline have already accounted for Premiership opposition in the cup this season, beating Hibs 1-0, having also accounted for Queen of the South, then ousted another third-tier side, local rivals Kelty Hearts, all at East End.
This is Aberdeen’s first tie away from Pittodrie this season, beating second-tier Raith Rovers then Premiership rivals Well.
