What is sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel’s next move in Aberdeen rebuild?

Given the general criteria set out, it is worth considering who might fit the bill.

Pfannenstiel cited knowledge of, and a connection to, Scottish football as being an important factor, so it is worth starting closer to home.

The two prime candidates would appear to be St Mirren’s Stephen Robinson and Motherwell’s Jens Berthel Askou.

Both have created hard-working and intense sides, albeit with different styles.

Robinson has led St Mirren to three consecutive top-six finishes and a League Cup trophy by squeezing the life from opponents through pressing, along with quick and direct football with a focus on set pieces.

Askou, during his brief stint at Fir Park has transformed Motherwell into a possession-based side who pass quickly through the opposition.

However, that has been achieved without compromising the defence, with his side having conceded the fewest goals in the Premiership this season and kept the most clean sheets.

“It’s been a short period of time, but he has managed to mould Motherwell into a team everyone enjoys watching,” former Aberdeen captain Willie Miller said on BBC Scotland’s Sportsound.

“For Motherwell to be up there and the quality and style of play he has managed to impart on players… he would be a great fit for Aberdeen.”

John McGlynn earned consecutive promotions and PFA Scotland manager of the year awards with Falkirk, and his side are two points above Aberdeen having beaten them twice this season already.

Those are only of a sample of the candidates closer to home, but one of the draws of Pfannenstiel for Aberdeen was the contacts and network he has built up in Germany and well beyond across his varied career.

Now is the time to bring all of that to bear and get Aberdeen moving forwards again. It is no small task.