Responsibilities for the first team, including matters such as player contracts, are to be taken over by Duncan Fraser, the chief executive, to enable Miller, who becomes director of football development, to concentrate on the academy set-up.
The changes are in response to the SFA’s appointment of a performance director to improve the quality of Scotland’s young players, and also to the recommendations of Henry McLeish’s review of Scottish football. Len Taylor, the head of Aberdeen’s football academy, is to retire. He will be succeeded by Neil Simpson, with Miller taking overall responsibility.
“When I returned to Pittodrie, my first task was to review the youth development operation and implement the changes necessary as the focus moved into that area,” Miller said.
“With the move to the new stadium and training facilities not that far away now, I intend to work closely with Neil to ensure our academy is fit for purpose and in the best position to take advantage of that move.
“Neil and I will take our present academy structure and work towards creating what you could say is the ‘Aberdeen way’ of producing technically talented players and ensuring there is an ongoing conveyor belt of talent ready to make the transition to the first-team squad.
“Chris Maguire was the first product of our revamped system and our efforts to produce a more technical type of player.
“There is little doubt, though, that Chris is the first of many and you only have to look at the make-up of our squad to see where we must concentrate our resources.”
Fraser will work with Craig Brown, the manager, and Archie Knox, his assistant, in first-team recruitment and contract negotiations.
Neil Cooper will continue to take charge of the under-19 side, through which players developed by Taylor moved as a stepping stone to the first-team. They have included Maguire, Peter Pawlett, Michael Paton, Fraser Fyvie, Ryan Jack and Clark Robertson.
“Len was my first appointment and helped me shape the future of our development programme,” Miller said. “Len’s contribution to our academy has been immense.”
