Jimmy Thelin on what is next for Aberdeen after 'best moment of my life' Scottish Cup win
Jimmy Thelin has admitted lifting the Scottish Cup win as Aberdeen manager was one of the best days of his life.
It is also a major inspiration for him and his players to build on that and try to bring further success to Pittodrie this season.
The Swede currently has his new-look squad in Portugal for their pre-season camp, as the Cup holders kick-off preparations for the 2025-26 season.
It is just over five weeks since the Dons beat Celtic at Hampden to lift their first trophy in 11 years. It was also Thelin's first major success in management.
He has seen what it has meant to everyone connected with the Dons and believes it will be a driver for his team to try to bring even more success going into this campaign, which will also offer European group stage football.
Thelin emotionally said: 'I think it was one of the best moments in my life. When you see all these happy faces, not only the players but staff and everybody around.
'The emotions, the chairman, Dave Cormack, Alan Burrows and Steven Gunn, all the people who are working around the club. 'Sharing this together was one of the best moments of my life.
'When you think about it, it is always there in a really good spirit. 'I also know we need to keep working and improving.
'Now we need to look ahead and prepare for a new season. That inspires everyone to try again.
'We know it will be really difficult but we need to try and believe to be the best we can be.'
Aberdeen go into the play-off round of the Europa League and regardless of the result will get European group stage football in that or the Conference League.
Thelin knows the key is to get the balance right because Aberdeen needs to be competitive on all fronts.
The last time the Dons reached the group stages, under Barry Robson, they struggled and that is something Thelin is keen to avoid a repeat of. He can also lean into his experiences with Elfsborg.
He said: 'Our away support is incredible. You see how many people come and support us and now we are going to add one more competition. We are going to need them more than ever.
'There are so many competitions to fight for and this extra they give is like a 12th player and is so important.
'I'm so excited for the games in Europe. It is about being as good as we can be so we can be that team that copes with all the competitions and still be competitive in the league every year.'
The good thing for Aberdeen is that they will get the chance to get a couple of league games under their belt before they step into the European arena.
They kick-off away to Hearts on the opening day. 'It is an exciting start,' Thelin told RedTV. 'It is coming quickly now. Everyday is coming closer.
'Right now we need to focus on the game. It is a good game to start with away. I can imagine some of our fans will be there and it will be a good game.'
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