More often than not, a team is moulded in its manager’s image, sculpted in such a way that it represents his personality.
If the coach is a charismatic, inspirational leader who wears his heart on his sleeve… it’s usually a good sign.
If he is the kind of character who says and looks almost exactly the same after every match… not so much.
There is something to be said for Jimmy Thelin’s quiet, methodical approach, especially if the aim is steady, sustainable growth.
What he lacks (at least outwardly) in emotion, he makes up for with humility, a commodity too often lacking in many of his peers.
And it certainly worked for him in his homeland, where he rebuilt Elfsborg with astute recruitment and a calm, patient approach.
Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin watches his side draw 1-1 with Dundee United at Pittodrie
Jesper Karlsson grabs a late equaliser after a mistake by United goalkeeper Dave Richards
Striker Kevin Nisbet has struggled to make a difference for Aberdeen in the final third
The problem for Aberdeen right now is that there is another respect in which they resemble this most decent of Swedish managers.
For all Thelin’s careful professionalism, the Pittodrie side he has put together are starting to become — how shall we put this — ‘boring’.
That, certainly, was the consensus among those who watched them draw 1-1 with Dundee United at Pittodrie last night.
Yes, they had 72 per cent of possession, as well as infinitely more successful passes than their counter-attacking opponents.
But it will take more than a few statistics to appease the critics — and even some fans — who are in danger of dozing off at Aberdeen games.
Endlessly circulating the ball is all very well in risk-free areas, but it is meaningless without that spark, that X-factor that provides an end product.
While Thelin’s football is modern and sophisticated, it is a little too repetitive for the traditionalists’ liking and bound to attract criticism if there is no consistency of results.
Aberdeen had an awful start to the season, winning just one of their first 11 matches. They improved during the autumn (how could they not?) but are now on a run of one victory in five.
Had it not been for a mistake by United goalkeeper Dave Richards yesterday, Jesper Karlsson would not have grabbed the late goal that cancelled out Amar Fatah’s first-half opener.
One theory is that they lack a striker with the ability to give them a platform in the final third. Not for the first time in his career, Kevin Nisbet’s attitude and work rate has been questioned.
Another is that the team are too one-dimensional, too wedded to a way of playing and ill-equipped to produce the unexpected, especially in attack.
In short, they are a bit too like their manager, whose carefully controlled monotone media interviews fail to inspire supporters when the going gets tough.
Some would like Thelin to get angry once in a while, criticise a referee, or at least offer a little more to the conversation than whispers about ‘stability’ and ‘transitions’.
That, though, is not his style, even when they are struggling at home to Kilmarnock and Dundee United, as they have done lately, or managing scarcely an attempt at goal against Sparta Prague.
Thelin’s side had a tough draw in the UEFA Conference League, but they finished second-bottom of a 36-team table and were lucky to concede only six goals in a humiliation by AEK Athens.
Last season, Thelin became an Aberdeen legend by leading them to a historic Scottish Cup triumph, but his team’s progress in the league has been painfully slow. Twenty months into his tenure, they are sixth in the Premiership, despite investing heavily in their squad.
While any number of managers could have done that — probably in half the time — Thelin would argue that there is no value in short-term gain and that his Aberdeen team are being built to last.
He believes that, if all goes to plan, his incremental steps will take Aberdeen on a long and rewarding journey. Just don’t expect all of it to be a joyride.
