Craig Brown will retire at the end of the season – but has agreed to remain at Aberdeen as a non-executive director.

The former Scotland manager has decided to call time on his managerial career and assistant manager Archie Knox will also leave the Pittodrie club, with Alloa boss Paul Hartley and Ross County manager Derek Adams high on the list of candidates to take over.

The 72-year-old said: "Having reflected long and hard on the situation, I felt the time was right for me to step down as manager. I feel it is important this is out in the public domain as I do not want anything to distract from the playing side over the next few weeks.

"Archie and I are determined to do whatever we can to help the team finish 2012-13 on a high and we strongly believe we will be leaving a solid base for the next management team to build on.

"I have been in football all my life and the opportunity to join the board at Aberdeen FC is a great honour and one that I will contribute to at all levels going forward. It was clear to me that the club was keen for me to remain here and I have a burning desire to see this great club back at the very top of the Scottish game."

Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne added: "Craig and Archie have worked tirelessly to turn the club around over the last 27 months. They are very much a team, as everyone is aware, and the contribution they have made in taking the club forward is immense.

"The staff throughout the club hold them in such high regard and they will certainly be a difficult act to follow. When Craig indicated he would step down I asked him to become a non-executive director and I am delighted to say this will take effect immediately.

"Craig will have input to all areas of the club like any other board member and will be a fantastic ambassador for Aberdeen Football Club.

"He has held a board position at Clyde FC in the past, so is well aware of the challenges football faces everywhere as well as here at Aberdeen. As a board member, he will play a full role like the rest of the board in choosing his successor.

"Archie will always be welcome back at Pittodrie where he has contributed so much over the last couple of years and during that unforgettable period in the 80's along with Sir Alex Ferguson."