Robinson under fire — Stephen Robinson remains in charge at Pittodrie for now, but the Aberdeen manager is under fire after a 4-0 thrashing by Hibernian left the club in the Scottish Premiership’s relegation play-off spot. The defeat, described by club legend Willie Miller as “utterly embarrassing,” prompted chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” from the home support and left the 51-year-old admitting his position is out of his hands.
A Must-Win That Turned Into a Mauling
Robinson had billed the visit of bottom-of-the-table Hibs as a must-win, but his side produced an insipid display that collapsed entirely in the second half. Fans began leaving at 2-0, and by the end Hibs had added two more goals in the final six minutes. “I’m Aberdeen manager until told otherwise, I’ll keep fighting until told otherwise,” Robinson said afterwards, conceding that both the performance and result were unacceptable.
The scale of the loss has intensified scrutiny on a manager who has won just six of his 21 league games since being appointed in March. Aberdeen have now lost four consecutive matches in all competitions and have taken only two wins from seven home league fixtures this season. Their tally of 12 goals is the joint-lowest in the division.
Pundits and Former Players Weigh In
Chris Sutton, the former Celtic striker, argued that the job appears beyond Robinson and suggested he should resign, though he expects the sack to come instead. Michael Stewart, speaking on Premier Sports, said the nature of the result could be the tipping point, while former Aberdeen defender Charlie Mulgrew said he believes Robinson is not the right fit for the club.
Miller, a Pittodrie great, was scathing in his assessment on BBC Sportsound, questioning the summer recruitment that brought in 15 players. “The players aren’t up to scratch, not up to playing at this level and dealing with high-ish expectations,” he said, adding that major issues must be confronted. He also noted that Robinson had made sweeping personnel changes and that few of the new signings have made a positive impact.
Alan Hutton, another former player, said he saw no clear identity or plan from Aberdeen and felt the players gave up towards the end. “It’s as if they’re hoping for something to happen,” he added.
Recruitment and Boardroom Pressure
Robinson arrived from St Mirren with a reputation built on three successive top-six finishes and a League Cup triumph, but he was not a universally popular choice among Aberdeen supporters. His style, critics argue, does not align with the attacking football expected at Pittodrie.
The decision now rests with chief executive Adrian Bevington, who was appointed in September and has been in the job for just a month and a half. Should Aberdeen dismiss Robinson, it would be their sixth managerial change since Derek McInnes departed in 2021, a statistic that fans point to as evidence of deeper problems at the club.
Supporters who contacted BBC Sport expressed frustration that goes beyond the manager. One fan described the situation as “a relegation waiting to happen,” while another said the issues run deeper than Robinson and questioned the club’s direction from the top down. Several called for urgent action, with one urging chairman Dave Cormack to have a replacement ready to avoid a slide into the Championship.
What Happens Next?
Aberdeen now head into the international break with uncertainty hanging over the manager’s position. Robinson insists he will continue to fight, but the mood around Pittodrie suggests that patience is wearing thin. As Miller put it, there are “major decisions to be made over this weekend.” Whether Robinson survives will depend on whether the board believes he can turn around a season that is rapidly slipping away.
