We look back at the most successful manager in Dons history. Aberdeen assistant manager Archie Knox (right) receives the European Cup Winners Cup from manager Alex Ferguson following Aberdeen’s 2-1 victory against Real Madrid. Sir Alex Ferguson was only 36 years old when he joined at Aberdeen in June 1978. But the young manager was no beginner, having joined Pittodrie with four years of experience under his belt from stints with East Stirlingshire and St Mirren. Ferguson was fired by Saints in 1978 for allegedly breaching a contract connected to Aberdeen’s interest in hiring him, and he claimed wrongful dismissal. Despite his arguments, in December of that year, a panel found that St Mirren had every right to fire Ferguson. The Paisley side are the only club ever to do so.

A difficult first season

Ferguson took over a club that had finished second in the league, two points behind Rangers, despite being winless in the Premier Division since December 1977. But the Dons manager’s first season at Pittodrie was challenging. He led his team to the League Cup final, but Aberdeen was defeated 2-1 by Rangers. They also advanced to the final four of the Scottish Cup and finished fourth in the league. However, the story would change dramatically in the next season.

A first league title for Alex Ferguson and Aberdeen

Prior to Ferguson’s arrival, Aberdeen had not won a league championship since 1955. In his second season in command, the Dons manager finally put an end to the long wait. Ferguson’s team were denied League Cup victory by New Firm rivals Dundee United, who triumphed 3-0 in a replay at Dens Park in Dundee. It was a disappointing result for Aberdeen, who had worked hard to advance to the final by defeating Rangers and Celtic. However, cup heartbreak was quickly forgotten in May as Aberdeen were crowned league champions with a 5-0 victory against Hibernian at Easter Road.

In an era when two points were granted for a victory, the Dons trailed leaders Celtic by ten points at one point during the season, despite having three games in hand. However, as May neared, the Hoops’ challenge weakened, and they lost three times, twice to the Dons, in the span of 19 days. That second win propelled the Dons to the top of the standings, a position they maintained until the end of the season.

A frustrating title defence

Aberdeen’s 1980-81 season began promisingly, with the Dons winning the Drybrough Cup in August, defeating St Mirren 2-1 in the final. Ferguson’s men were unable to build on their early success. Aberdeen advanced to the second round of the European Cup, where they were placed against English champions Liverpool. The Battle of Britain match was a one-sided affair, with the Dons losing 1-0 at Pittodrie and then falling 4-0 in the second leg at Anfield to exit the competition. Ferguson was disappointed with the 5-0 aggregate loss, but it was a vital lesson for his team. Domestically, Aberdeen reached the League Cup quarter-finals and suffered an unexpected early exit from the Scottish Cup at the hands of Morton.

The Dons had to settle for the runners-up position in the Premier Division as they were left to rue 11 draws from their 36 league matches to finish seven points behind champions Celtic.

Scottish Cup glory

Aberdeen’s reputation and stature in Scottish football were expanding, as seen by the Dons’ then-record purchase of winger Peter Weir, for which they paid St Mirren £300,000 and sent Ian Scanlon in the other direction. His arrival paved the way for Ferguson to win his second major trophy with the Dons in the 1981-82 season. In the league, the Dons finished second again, two points behind winners Celtic. Aberdeen lost 3-1 on aggregate against Dundee United in the League Cup semi-finals. That left the Scottish Cup as the club’s best chance of triumph, and the Dons delivered in style.

Aberdeen advanced to the final against Rangers after defeating Motherwell, Celtic, Kilmarnock, and St Mirren. The Gers brought the Dons to extra time, but Aberdeen found another gear and won 4-1 at Hampden to win the cup for the first time since 1970.

European glory for Aberdeen FC

The Dons qualified for the European Cup Winners’ Cup after winning the Scottish Cup the previous season. The European season concluded with the greatest occasion in the club’s history. The Dons got off to a flying start with an 11-1 aggregate triumph over Sion in the preliminary round, but they had a far tougher test in the first round, narrowly defeating Dinamo Tirana 1-0. Aberdeen grew in prominence as the competition continued, defeating Lech Poznan to set up a daunting quarter-final against German powerhouse Bayern Munich.

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