AFC Wimbledon sack manager as unwanted record comes into view

AFC Wimbledon sack their manager Mark Robinson as unwanted record comes into view and relegation among the squad’s fears.

The Dons fell to a 1-0 defeat to Cambridge on Saturday, making it it 21 games without victory as club chiefs look to ensure they beat the drop this season.

They currently sit 21st in the League One table, a point from safety and seven games remaining with a tough run in store for them.

BREAKING: AFC Wimbledon have parted ways with head coach Mark Robinson by mutual consent.

He leaves the club 21st in League One, one point adrift of safety with seven games to go.

Robinson, who took over in January 2021, won 17 of his 68 matches.#AFCW

— The Sack Race (@thesackrace) March 28, 2022

Head Coach Mark Robinson has today parted company with AFC Wimbledon by mutual consent.

The club would like to place on record its gratitude to Mark for all his hard work, loyalty and commitment whilst in this role.

There will be no further statement for the time being.

– STATEMENT ENDS –

After the game on Saturday, Mark Robinson reiterated that he would only resign from the role if he lost the players.

When asked if he had offered his resignation at any point during the winless run, Robinson said: “If I felt that I lost the players, of course, I would offer to resign. But I have never quit anything in my life, and I have never failed anything in my life long term.

“That’s the board’s decision. We have had lots of conversations – they have come down to the training ground, and they can see the players.

“There is a reason why a manager’s lifespan lasts 16 months on average across the board, that’s because football is a knee-jerk industry and people get sacked and don’t get a chance to build things.

“I know long-term that I can build it, but that’s a club thing. I don’t doubt myself. I’m sure if the club had a queue of people ready to take the job over, I’m sure they would come and tell me.

“If the club came to me and said that they think there was a man to get us out of it, then we would have to look at that situation, because the club is far more important than any individual.”

He was questioned if he still believed that AFC Wimbledon could survive this season, Robinson said: “Anything can turn on a result.

“You win a game, and all of a sudden, the confidence comes flooding back.

“Of course there is always a chance. Fundamentally, it’s 20 games [without a win], which is obviously an awful run, but we’re still in with a fighting chance.

“There are plenty of other teams still struggling as well – otherwise, we would be rock bottom and down after a run such as this.

“We have picked up points, and other teams are struggling as well, so we have now got to look at it as a seven-game season and do everything we can to get out of it.”

On the 23rd of March, AFC Wimbledon initially backed the boss, releasing the statement: The boards of AFCW PLC and the Dons Trust share fans and members’ concerns about the club’s poor run of form, have been considering all options to address this and wish to respond to those concerns with full transparency.

vThe boards have met several times over the past few weeks and have decided to back the current coaching set-up to remain in situ and continue to steer the club.

“The boards believe, with the right support and structure around him, Mark Robinson is the right man to remain as our Head Coach. Crucially, the players and staff have absolute belief in his ability to turn things around. The board has challenged itself as to whether more could have been done to support Mark and his team and has concluded that is the case.

“Whilst the stadium build has resulted in an uncompetitive playing budget, the board believes that more support could have been provided in the area of the football panel. In response to this, the board have signed off more senior resource for the football panel to ensure full alignment and to add further expertise to our efforts to identify the best players on an ongoing basis.

“However, we also believe that there have been positives – we have already seen good progress in player development, including representative honours for our improving young players. We also believe that Mark is and remains very open to input on all areas of his and his management team’s roles and decision-making, and we are looking to support him as best as possible.

“Secondly, we will be presenting a fuller financial update separately shortly. But thanks to the efforts of the finance committee, club staff and board members, as well as the generosity of our fans and investors in the Plough Lane Bond 2, we will approach plans for the 2022-23 season in our strongest ever financial position. We are therefore fully committed to providing an increase in playing budget – made possible through the debt refinancing and the new revenue streams achievable post-Covid at a fully functioning Plough Lane with stronger commercial activity and non-matchday use of the stadium facilities.

“Finally, we would like to place on record our belief that changing the Head Coach brings no guarantee of success and could carry higher risks than working to turn our on-pitch fortunes around alongside someone who has earned the respect of everyone at the club over the last 18 years.

“In the short term, we find ourselves with eight games left to climb the table and see off the threat of relegation. It is very much in our hands. We have been here before over the last five years and we know how important it is to stick together.

“We have seen how many fans continue to travel with us in numbers to support the team as vociferously and proudly as ever. And even when results have been disappointing, it is with pride we all come together at our new stadium back on Plough Lane – a stadium built thanks to the combined efforts of us all. We would therefore ask everyone to continue to unite behind the team, the players and the staff on matchdays with that same passion, support and belief.

“We know that opinions differ and we know that some members may not agree with this. But we also believe that we have always pulled together best as a club and fanbase in the hardest times. Come on you Dons!”

Twitter users reacted as AFC Wimbledon sack their manager as their unwanted record comes into view…

@14thefrog: I’ve been a huge advocate of Robbo but I think this is probably the right decision, even if just for his sake. In time, I’m sure the relief will take over from the hurt he feels. Like many, I hope he gets back into the academy where he’s done superb work. Going forward. I hope the decision properly unites the club. I’m disappointed for example by people turning onto the board now, without recognizing the difficult job they do for free. Now’s not the time, it’s time to PROPERLY get behind the team. Sing your hearts out, it CAN be done. COYD

@spikeus: “The boards believe, with the right support and structure around him, Mark Robinson is the right man to remain as our Head Coach. Crucially, the players and staff have absolute belief in his ability to turn things around.” This you?

@Rudi_szn: I believe I have tried to stay optimistic and stick with @AFCWRobbo. A man with great philosophies and a true passion for helping others. Appreciate everything.

@Tim_Lloyd1: All the best to Robbo. He has been a great servant to club so wish him well

@sabartram: Pure relief. Obviously we don’t know whether the presumably interim manager for this season will keep us up at this stage, but I’m hopeful we’ll pick up some points.

@MBarrett93: Had to be done and should have been done a few weeks ago. Shambles to do after publicly backing last week though and probably too late now…

@DaniBeverleyxo: Genuinely heartbroken for Robbo, such sad news and I wish him all the best of luck 💛💙

@nuxnix: Way too late. If he was to be changed it needed to be in December, not now. For what it’s worth I think he played the cards he was dealt with well enough. We just don’t have any ability to take chances and finish. Saturday was dire.

@greeney___: Although ended badly and the club should’ve taken the decision out of marks hands months ago, he did keep us in the league last year and continued the development of a young and exciting squad, hopefully he gets a role back in the academy where he’s best suited

@RichLines: I’m overwhelmed with the detail 🤦 Hope he stays on at the club once the dust settles, he has been a great part of the story, it just was too much of an ask. Some of those players should be ashamed. *that recruitment board should be disbanded and received of all duties ASAP.

@daysofspeed: A tragic shame. I hope there’s space for Mark to stay on as he has built an incredible academy that I believe is the pride of the club. To lose him completely would be a catastrophe for us.

@Jameo_11: Hope this isn’t as rash as getting rid of ollie. There better be a replacement lined up to bring in.

@OllieLewis1: Sad sad day. A man who truly loves the club and has worked wonders with the academy. Start of the season was so promising but after the last few months it was inevitable

@misterdowse: Although I think it’s for the best, I was really sad to read this. I hope Robbo looks after Number One by taking a break and recharging his batteries. Hopefully, he might come back and have a role with the Academy. Go well, Mark. #AFCW #afcwimbledon

@AndrewM1874: Robinson has been a good servant to the club through the academy but it unfortunately hasn’t worked out at first team level. Hopefully the fact that they’ve waited till now to sack him this means that they have someone lined up.