MANY Dons fans will be breathing a sigh of relief today, as boss Jimmy Calderwood announced he does not want to speak to the media.
Unfortunately, Jimmy is only talking about the latest innovation from TV companies regarding coverage of football - touchline interviews during the game.
This innovation was revealed on Monday night during SPL broadcaster Setanta's coverage of the FA Cup tie between Blyth Spartans and Blackburn Rovers.
Interviews with managers traditionally happen before and after the game, although this has extended to half-time interviews in some competitions in recent years, and indeed Setanta have included in-game interviews during Blue Square Premier League games for the last two seasons.
But while Monday's game involved a non-league side, Premiership team Blackburn also were happy to speak to Setanta's touchline reporter during the game.
However, notorious media-hound Calderwood is less keen to have a microphone thrust into the Pittodrie dug-outs to explain his occasionally oddball tactics midway through the game.
He told The Scotsman: "Not during a game - not me. There's a time and a place. You are always keen to help, but that's going too far."
Setanta, who hold the contract for SPL live games and highlights, is keen that the idea spreads from the lower league football to become a normal part of the ever-increasing football TV coverage.
Head of UK Production Colin Davidson said: "We have been doing this in the Blue Square League for a couple of seasons now. The managers in that league are very up for that kind of thing, and are co-operative and want to do it.
"It is very much down to the individual and if the guy is up for it. If they don't want to do it, then you don't push it.
"I think it is an interesting development, as long as it is not done for the sake of it.
"I don't think it is a good enough reason to say, 'It's 20 minutes into a game, let's just go to an interview with the manager'. But if there is a reason, and there's value in hearing what they have to say, then I am all for it."
