goalkeeper Ryan Esson were developed. Yet with the Bosman ruling, and Aberdeen's substantial debt, which had built up before Skovdahl became manager, it became clear that the system Skovdahl had used with Brøndby could not be maintained at Aberdeen. With many of the players he had developed on short term contract, and likely to leave at the end of the 2002–03 season, it became clear to Skovdahl that he could not in the long term achieve at Aberdeen what he had with Brøndby. Aberdeen lost narrowly to Hertha Berlin in the 2002–03 UEFA Cup. The club had a poor domestic start to the 2002–03 campaign, prompting Skovdahl to announce his intention to resign. He was replaced by Steve Paterson in December 2002. Danish return He returned to Danish Superliga club BK Frem, who he tried to save from relegation, though without success. Following disputes with the club board over the long-term aims of the club, Skovdahl resigned in winter 2005. Personal life Skovdahl was the uncle of Danish international footballers Michael and Brian Laudrup. Death Skovdahl died after years of battling cancer on 23 October 2020 at the age of 75. Honours Danish Championship: 1988, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98 Danish Cup: 1988–89, 1993–94, 1997–98 References 1945 births 2020 deaths Danish men's footballers Association football defenders Vanløse IF players Brøndby IF players Danish football managers Brøndby IF managers Brønshøj BK managers S.L. Benfica managers Vejle Boldklub managers Aberdeen F.C. managers Boldklubben Frem managers Scottish Premier League managers Expatriate football managers in Portugal Expatriate football managers in Scotland Danish expatriate football managers Danish expatriates in Portugal Danish expatriates in Scotland Danish Superliga managers Footballers from Copenhagen