This video can not be played Highlights: Aberdeen 1-1 Celtic (Aberdeen win 4-3 on penalties) Winters in Aberdeen can be bleak. Winterfell has nothing on a dark, bitter night on Union Street. Especially if it's 25 January and all you have to warm you is a red and white scarf around your neck. The city's football team, magnificently unbeaten in their first 16 games across all competitions this season - including 15 wins, were in crisis. A cataclysmic collapse in form had delivered 10 defeats in 13 winless games, the most recent a grim 3-0 chasing at home by St Mirren. Fanciful dreams of title challenges had been switched for blind panic of relegation form. "Time to either adapt or die. Jimmy Thelin has a month at most to sort it out," said one angry fan before his side went on to lose 2-0 to Hibernian in their next game. Publicly, there was no panic, just a relentless message from Thelin, the club's calm and cool new manager, that the tide would turn again. It was hard to see it from outside, but inside the club, the Swede remained steadfast. Almost four months on to the day, Thelin's calm and cool was unceremoniously abandoned as he levitated above his Hampden technical area, punching the air as his side made history to lift the Scottish Cup for the first time in 35 years. It was a fairytale bookend to the most polarising football campaign that has possibly ever been but one that was rescued by one thing - belief. Not many outside of Thelin's inner circle held much of it for his team in Glasgow's south side against treble-chasing Celtic. Roundly beaten in their previous four meetings and fresh from a spluttering fifth-place finish. It was clear something needed to change for Saturday's final. Even as the contest unfolded, it was hard to see Thelin's masterplan. Sixteen per cent possession at half-time. No shots, no encouragement. Yet the former Elfsborg head coach's late substitutes and game plan hauled Aberdeen level and paved the way for a dramatic penalty shootout shock up there in the pantheon of historic wins in this famous old competition. "He's the best manager I've ever worked with," Dimitar Mitov, Aberdeen's heroic shootout goalkeeper, said. "It's his day-to-day basics of how he manages the team, how we train, the little details he puts into the team. "But the most important part - and I've never seen this before - is when we made it to the final, he always said 'when we win the final'. There were no ifs. And that mentality went to the boys. "Everybody starts saying when, not if. I think that was the turning point." This video can not be played Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin on Scottish Cup glory Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack proclaimed "with Jimmy we feel we absolutely got the right guy" as he spoke mid lap of honour around the Hampden pitch. Thelin showed a tactical awareness coming into the final. He gave his players two days off for him to come up with a game plan to topple Celtic - and it worked. A change in personnel, a change in system, a change of approach anchored in pragmatism. No wonder given how Brendan Rodgers' team had dismantled Thelin's men at will on occasion this season. The Swede also demonstrated bravery in doing so. To recognise something isn't working is one thing. To do it and roll the dice as you stand on the brink of history, it's quite something. It's a gamble that has paid off to the tune of immortality and £6m, the latter coming with the guarantee of European football until December in either the Europa or Conference League. How much of it Thelin gets to invest remains to be seen - not least given he was backed heavily in January - but he's earned the right to go again with this Aberdeen team with a sense of optimism behind him. Cormack was persistent in his pursuit of Thelin and his man has presided over a maiden season that began with a blistering run and closed with a trophy in the cabinet. One that's not resided there for a generation. The frostiness of a winter of dismay will thaw out in the glow of a Union Street bus parade on Sunday. Post mortems about being dismembered by St Mirren will be marked as an irrelevance amid the glory, all lost in a sea of red and white flags and scarves. There will be a new set of challenges ahead for Thelin and his team - and a new set of expectations. But that's for another day. After this season and the most draining of days, the Pittodrie manager deserves to live in the here and now. Even just for a moment. "You see how much it means to everyone," he told BBC Scotland. "That's why football is so amazing. To be strong in the difficult times, keep believing and keep trying everything you channel every day. "We have a lot to look forward to."
Thelin feels warmth of Aberdeen fans again after cold winter
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Aberdeen Claims Scottish Cup Title Under Manager Jimmy Thelin After Difficult Season"
Bbc News
6.4
TruthLens AI Summary
Aberdeen Football Club has experienced a tumultuous season, marked by a stark contrast between their early success and later struggles. Under the management of Jimmy Thelin, the team started strongly, remaining unbeaten in their first 16 matches, but a sudden downturn saw them suffer 10 defeats in 13 games, leading to intense scrutiny and concern among fans. The situation became critical, with one supporter voicing the urgency for Thelin to adapt quickly or face dire consequences. Despite the pressure, Thelin maintained a calm demeanor, assuring the team and fans that they would turn things around. This belief in their potential culminated in a historic victory in the Scottish Cup, marking Aberdeen's first win in the tournament in 35 years. Thelin's strategic changes and motivational skills played a crucial role in this turnaround, as he instilled a mindset of certainty and determination among the players, emphasizing a winning mentality rather than a cautious approach.
The Scottish Cup final against Celtic presented a daunting challenge for Aberdeen, who had often been bested by their rivals. However, Thelin's tactical adjustments, including changes in personnel and game strategy, proved effective. The team, initially struggling with possession and shots on goal, managed to level the score late in the match, leading to a dramatic penalty shootout where they emerged victorious. Goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov praised Thelin's management style, highlighting the importance of his daily tactics and the mental shift he fostered within the squad. This victory not only secured a prestigious trophy but also ensured European football for the club, providing a significant boost to their future prospects. As the team celebrated their triumph with a bus parade, the focus shifted from past disappointments to the bright future ahead, with Thelin poised to build on this success as they face new challenges and expectations in the coming season.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article presents a narrative centered around Aberdeen's football team and their recent challenges and triumphs under manager Jimmy Thelin. It highlights the emotional landscape of the fans and the team's journey from despair to victory, suggesting an underlying message of resilience and hope.
Purpose of the Article
The intention behind the article seems to be to rekindle a sense of community and pride among Aberdeen's supporters after a tumultuous period for the football team. By focusing on Thelin's leadership and the emotional highs of winning the Scottish Cup, the article aims to foster a renewed belief in the team's potential, encouraging fans to rally behind their club.
Public Sentiment
The article is likely designed to create a positive sentiment among the fanbase, countering the negativity surrounding the team's past performances. By emphasizing the narrative of triumph against adversity, it seeks to inspire hope and solidarity among supporters, portraying the team as capable of overcoming challenges.
Omissions or Concealments
While the article focuses on a triumphant narrative, it may downplay the deeper issues that contributed to the team's earlier struggles, such as management decisions, player performance, and possible financial concerns. This selective storytelling could prevent a more comprehensive understanding of the club's situation.
Manipulative Elements
The article contains elements that could be considered manipulative, particularly in its emotionally charged language and focus on a feel-good story. By showcasing only the positive aspects of the team's recent performance and downplaying past failures, it may attempt to steer public perception toward an overly optimistic view.
Truthfulness of the Content
The article appears to be grounded in factual events, such as the team's performance in the Scottish Cup and Thelin's role as manager. However, the portrayal of these events may be more dramatized to evoke emotional responses from readers, which could affect the perceived truthfulness of the narrative.
Cultural and Community Impact
This piece likely resonates with local communities and football fans who value resilience and success in sports. It aims to reinforce a collective identity and pride in the team, making it particularly appealing to loyal supporters.
Broader Economic and Political Effects
While the article itself may not have direct economic or political implications, the success of a local football team can influence community morale and local business. A cup victory can lead to increased attendance at games and spending in the area, contributing positively to the local economy.
Stock Market Relevance
The article is less likely to have a direct impact on stock markets or specific stocks, as it focuses on a local sports narrative. However, if the team's success translates into financial benefits for sponsors or local businesses, there could be indirect effects.
Geopolitical Context
There is no significant geopolitical relevance in this article; however, it reflects broader themes of community resilience and unity, which are relevant in times of societal challenges.
Use of AI in Writing
It is possible that AI was used in the creation of this article, particularly in organizing the narrative and selecting emotionally resonant language. AI models could assist in identifying key themes and structuring the content to appeal to readers emotionally.
Manipulative Aspects
The language used in the article, such as invoking imagery of despair followed by triumph, serves to manipulate the reader's emotional response. This is a common tactic in sports journalism, aiming to create a narrative arc that engages fans deeply.
In summary, while the article captures a significant moment in Aberdeen's football history, it does so with an emphasis on emotional upliftment, possibly at the expense of a more balanced perspective on the team's challenges. The overall trustworthiness of the article is moderate; it presents factual information but may skew the narrative for emotional effect.