Bodo/Glimt manager Kjetil Knutsen has turned down the chance to speak to Aberdeen about becoming their new boss.
The Pittodrie side made an approach to the Norwegian title-winning bosses camp earlier this week.
The 55-year-old was one of six names on the Aberdeen managerial shortlist to replace Stephen Glass following his departure on Sunday.
Knutsen will put his team up against Celtic at Parkhead tomorrow night in their Europa League Conference clash
Sources in Norway confirmed that Knutsen’s camp was sounded out by Aberdeen earlier this week, but were told that he is happy at Bodo/Glimt and that managing in Scotland is not something that is currently on his agenda.
There is already big interest in the Norwegian coach and the indication was that when he does leave Bodo then it is likely to be for a job in one of Europe’s top five leagues, like the Bundesliga.
Knutsen has been on the radar of Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack and director of football Steven Gunn for some time, while there has also been growing support for him amongst the Red Army in recent days.
He is one of the most highly-regarded coaches in Europe after he led Bodo/Glimt to their first title and then regained it again last year.
Knutsen stunned Jose Mourinho’s Roma with a 6-1 thrashing and then drew again with them in Italy in their stunning Europa Conference League group qualification which set up a clash with Ange Postecoglou's side.
While Aberdeen have had to knock Knutsen off their list, Gunn have been working round the clock sounding out and speaking to potential candidates for their vacant managerial role.
The Pittodrie club have made a number of approaches to speak to potential candidates since the start of the week.
Jim Goodwin remains the front-runner to become Aberdeen’s next manager - with talks over compensation on-going with St Mirren.
They are now down to a handful of candidates that they have identified and that have been put forward and fit into the Aberdeen philosophy and strategy; to play an exciting brand of football, with a mix of homegrown talent and quality experienced players, that can get the club challenging at the top of the Scottish game and regularly in European competition.
Ambitious Cormack has stated his desire to eventually turn his hometown team into one of Europe’s top 100 clubs.
Ex-Hibs boss Jack Ross is also under consideration along with other candidates, who have English Premier League and Champions League experience, but Goodwin now looks favourite.
St Mirren made it clear that they want the Dons to trigger his £250,000 buyout clause but talks are on-going over that.
Goodwin made a name for himself at Alloa Athletic before he moved to St Mirren in 2019.
He has gradually built St Mirren up over the last three years and currently has them sitting in the top six, above Aberdeen.
The 40-year-old is viewed as one of the top young coaches in the Scottish game.
