Aberdeen

The 55-year-old first joined the Scottish Premiership club in 2013 as part of Derek McInnes’ management team and went on to spend eight years at Pittodrie.

He was also McInnes’ number two with Kilmarnock before spells as manager with Dundee and Ross County but was sacked by the latter in December with his side bottom of the Championship.

“Tony has a wealth of experience and knows the Club inside out,” Pfannenstiel told his club website.

“He has excellent knowledge of the Scottish Premiership, both as a coach and a manager, and that will be invaluable for us in the short term.

“Our managerial search is now reaching its conclusion and we hope to be in a position to announce our new head coach imminently.”

Leven, who is in his third spell as caretaker and whose side sit seventh in Scotland’s top flight, welcomed Docherty’s appointment.

“It’s great to have someone of Tony’s experience back in the Aberdeen dugout for the upcoming games,” Leven added.

“He was very enthusiastic about coming in when I spoke with him and his presence and knowledge at both training and matches will be a big boost to me and the squad.”

Horneland left Saint-Etienne at the start of February with his side sitting fourth in France’s second tier.

Should Aberdeen decide to wait until the summer for the Norwegian to take charge, it will mirror the six-month delay in Thelin arriving at Pittodrie from Elfsborg in summer 2024.

Tuesday’s KDM Evolution Trophy quarter-final between St Johnstone and Championship rivals Ayr United has been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

However the League 1 match between Montrose and Peterhead will go ahead after a pitch inspection.

Aberdeen’s cup tie against Motherwell at Pittodrie on Saturday evening was also called off, as was their home game against Celtic last Wednesday.

“The weather across north-east Scotland has seen unprecedented levels of rainfall throughout the recent winter months,” said United on Tuesday.

“This, combined with a congested home fixture schedule and the club’s commitment to doing everything possible to fulfil fixtures, has placed significant strain on the pitch.

“A range of pitch-protection measures have taken place during this period. These actions have been crucial in enabling fixtures to proceed during prolonged periods of heavy rainfall.

“However, they have had an unavoidable impact on the visual appearance of the playing surface.

“This has been the necessary compromise in ensuring continuity across an exceptionally demanding run of home fixtures during extraordinary weather conditions.”