Aberdeen legend Willie Miller believes now is the right time for Stephen Robinson to take charge at the club.
The Dons have been searching for Jimmy Thelin's managerial successor since the Swede was sacked on 4 January.
Norwegian Eirik Horneland and German Sandro Schwarz – who was at Pittodrie last midweek to watch the defeat by Celtic – have been linked with the job but the Dons have now opened talks with St Mirren manager Robinson.
With Aberdeen not clear of relegation trouble – they sit eight points above Kilmarnock in the relegation play-off spot – Miller believes getting him in now makes sense in the short and long term.
"The appointment of a manager should be pretty simple and straightforward," the former defender told BBC Radio Scotland.
"You're not always going to get it right. On this occasion Robinson must have been a candidate right at the beginning.
"If there is a fan reaction, and it's negative, Stephen has got to come in – I think this is the right time to come in, not in the summer – have a look at the squad, decide who's going to stay and do his wishlist for the summer window.
"He's not going to be judged on the final games we've got to play in the league.
"He's going to be judged on the decisions he makes and the results he gets going forward.
"He's got a proven track record, he knows the Scottish game, he's enthusiastic. I think the fans will be hoping he can bring that energy and start getting results and repay the fans.
"The fanbase have been magnificent, almost 17,500 who turn up even when performances have been so poor. Hopefully Robinson can repay them and start getting results and start allowing fans to be more positive moving forward."
