Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee has been told there is no pot of gold to transform his faltering club’s fortunes.
Scottish Cup defeat at the hands of part-time First Division club Raith Rovers on Tuesday prompted the manager to promise he is ready to rip up the team and start again.
But club chairman Stewart Milne has warned that harsh financial realities will decide McGhee’s plans.
Aberdeen have made embarrassing exits from both domestic cup competitions and went out in the Europa League qualifying stages to a record aggregate defeat this season.
The Dons are toiling in seventh place in the SPL with 14 matches remaining and supporter frustration boiled over on Tuesday as McGhee was spat at, abused and was the target of missiles.
But Milne, who has also been the subject of severe criticism, last night emerged to proclaim his support for his manager.
However, with £9million of debts and the club no closer to a new stadium deal, Milne said: “We said we would back Mark in any way we can and that continues.
“He knew from day one he has to do it within a budget. Football has to live in the real world and there is no endless pot of money. We will try to stretch the budget in whatever way we can.
“Everyone knows the current economic environment and the hit Scottish football has taken from the collapse of the Setanta television deal.
“All the clubs are under tremendous pressure and we are no different. We have all got to confront difficult things in life and there’s no way you can ship everyone out and ship a whole lot in.
“The reality is Mark has the squad until the end of the season and he has to deliver the best results he can.
“That’s maybe got to mean him having some open and blunt discussions with players who have to confront their difficulties.
“None of us is happy because we have shown what we are capable of doing in some games. But Mark has shown he is capable of doing the job. He is setting about it in an organised and methodical way to build a team which will start to deliver real results and bring good football to Pittodrie.
“You know when you bring in any new manager he is going to want to rebuild a squad in the way he sees fit. That will take time. He has made changes and will continue. But it won’t be a wholesale switch in playing staff.”
Milne’s commitment to the club has also been questioned.
But he rejects this and insists his determination to succeed at the Dons is as strong as ever.
He added: “If people question my role then that is their choice.
“I have never thought about walking away.
“To me, it is fairly simple. If I didn’t have a commitment to the club, I would not put myself through all the pain I do.
“I desperately want this club to go forward and believe we have the people in place to do it.”
Milne believes his manager has the strength of character to emerge stronger from the cup debacle.
He said: “I think Mark is a pretty tough guy who has very clear objectives. But he knows that he will take knocks along the way and some will be big.
“But I have no doubt he will learn from the experience he went through on Tuesday night. I believe we have a very good manager and we want to support him in every way we can. I have never thought about walking away.
“We were all angry after the Raith result but emotions run high in football. You must get over it and get back to reality.”
Dons director of football Willie Miller has also come under pressure from supporters. Milne insisted Miller’s position at the club is secure.
Milne said: “Willie has got a big job to do at this club, just as Mark does.
“He has played a major role in bringing through the youngsters which we are now getting the benefit of in the first team. He is working closely with Mark in the rebuilding process.”
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