Aberdeen: Lutz Pfannenstiel talks about plans for Pittodrie – but no Penguin

Having played for 25 clubs in 13 countries and worked as an assistant coach in Cuba and Namibia, Pfannenstiel should be well connected in terms of recruitment.

“For Aberdeen, the most important thing is to find a clear strategy, philosophy and playing style,” he said.

“Sometimes, recruiting the best player on the market doesn’t always work. You have to have the best player that fits your system and style.”

The Dons are currently eighth in the Scottish Premiership after a disappointing start to the season.

“I think my joining was good news for Jimmy because he can focus more on what he wants to focus on and focus on coaching,” Pfannenstiel said.

“I can take a lot of pressure off of him when it comes to dealing with recruiting and finding players. A head coach has to really be able to focus on what’s happening on the field, what’s happening in the locker room.

“I’m here to support Jimmy as much as I can and then talk about him [new] players. There will be a lot of conversations. Even now, whenever we talk, I get a really good feeling about it, we see football very much the same way.”

Three wins and a draw in their last five league games suggest Thelen has turned the corner, with Pfannenstiel saying: “I see a team with very good potential.

“I see maybe one or two little pieces of the puzzle missing, and if you fill those positions with the right players, I think some of the other players can really kick in and go in the perfect right direction.

“When you look at the table, people will be worried, but you have to trust the process, you also have to believe in what we have and then it gets better step by step.

“We’re not too far away from January and we’re getting a little new blood. Small changes and small adjustments can have a big impact.”