Aberdeen appoint ex-Luzern boss Mario Frick as head coach
Aberdeen have named former Luzern and Vaduz coach Mario Frick as head coach, replacing the sacked Stephen Robinson with the Dons second bottom in Scotland.
Livefeed News DeskUpdated · 2 min read
Quick answer
Aberdeen have appointed Mario Frick as head coach, subject to UK visa formalities. The 52-year-old former Liechtenstein striker replaces Stephen Robinson, who was sacked on 9 November with the club second bottom of the Scottish Premiership. Frick spent five years at Luzern and brings assistant Roman Matter with him.
Key facts
- Mario Frick has been appointed Aberdeen head coach, subject to UK visa formalities.
- He replaces Stephen Robinson, who was sacked on 9 November.
- Frick is the seventh permanent manager since Dave Cormack took control in November 2019.
- He won 125 caps for Liechtenstein and scored a national record 16 goals.
- Roman Matter joins as assistant coach.
Frick replaces Robinson at Pittodrie
Aberdeen have named Mario Frick as their new head coach, with the appointment subject to UK visa formalities. The 52-year-old takes over from Stephen Robinson, who was dismissed on 9 November with Aberdeen second bottom of the Scottish Premiership. Frick is the seventh permanent manager since Dave Cormack took control of the club in November 2019.
Roman Matter joins as his assistant. The pair are due in Aberdeen at the start of the week to take training ahead of next weekend's match against Kilmarnock.
What he did at Luzern and Vaduz
Frick arrives after five years at FC Luzern, which he left in the summer. When he was appointed in December 2021, Luzern were bottom of the Swiss Super League. He kept them up, then led them to a fourth-place finish and European qualification, and the club spent spells top of the table during his time there.
Before that he coached FC Balzers and FC Vaduz, winning promotion to the Swiss Super League with Vaduz. Aberdeen say he has taken charge of almost 290 senior matches as a head coach and handed top-flight debuts to more than 30 academy players.
Why Aberdeen chose him
Chief executive Adrian Bevington said the appointment followed a thorough process led by himself and sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel, in which the club spoke to a number of candidates. "the Board was unanimous in its belief that he is the right person to lead Aberdeen Football Club forward," Bevington said.
Pfannenstiel described Frick as "a strong personality with clear ideas about how he wants his teams to play". The Press and Journal had earlier reported that a Belgian title-winning manager was on the club's shortlist.
Frick said he was excited to join a club with "a proud history, passionate supporters and big ambitions".
Liechtenstein's record scorer
As a player, Frick turned out for FC Basel, FC Zürich, St. Gallen, Grasshopper, Siena and Ternana. A striker who also played at centre-back, he won 125 caps for Liechtenstein between 1993 and 2016 and scored a national record 16 goals.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Aberdeen's new head coach?
Mario Frick, the former Luzern and Vaduz coach, has been appointed, subject to UK visa formalities.
Why did Stephen Robinson leave Aberdeen?
Robinson was sacked on 9 November with Aberdeen second bottom of the Scottish Premiership.
What is Mario Frick's first game in charge?
He is due to prepare the team for next weekend's match against Kilmarnock.
Who is Mario Frick's assistant at Aberdeen?
Roman Matter joins him as assistant coach.
