We find out the favourites to become new MK Dons boss as their head coach Mike Williamson leaves for Carlisle United.
The Cumbrians have found a replacement for the departed Paul Simpson who was sacked on the 31st of August 2024 following three defeats in their first four league matches.
They’ve lost two more games since then, leaving them 22nd in the League Two table with 3 points from 6 games.
Pete O’Rourke tweeted that the club had showed an interest in Gateshead boss Rob Elliot and Altrincham’s Phil Parkinson, before securing a deal for Williamson.
It’s not been the start Milton Keynes Dons had been hoping either, still struggling following the thrashing to Crawley in the League Two playoffs last season.
MK Dons sit 20th in the fourth tier with 6 points from 6 games, with their being some unrest from fans over Mike Williamson, who has been in charge of the club since last October, having joined the club from Gateshead.
He guided MK Dons to a 4th place finish with 78 points from 46 games played, but lost 8-1 on aggregate to Crawley, who ended up in 7th with 70 points under former Swindon boss Scott Lindsey.
Crawley went on to beat Crewe in the playoff final, Crawley’s first ever trip to Wembley, with the 2-0 victory seeing them back in League One for the first time since being relegated from it in 2015.
#MKDons can confirm Head Coach Mike Williamson has departed the club to join fellow Sky Bet League Two side Carlisle United.
— Milton Keynes Dons (@MKDonsFC) September 19, 2024
MK DONS STATEMENT:
MK Dons can confirm Head Coach Mike Williamson has today departed the club to join fellow Sky Bet League Two side Carlisle United.
Williamson will be joined by Assistant Head Coach Ian Watson as well as First Team Coaches Chris Bell and Carl Magnay.
MK Dons made every effort to keep Mike and his coaching staff, rejecting an initial approach before Carlisle indicated they would be willing to meet a release clause in his contract.
At this stage, Mike was granted formal permission to speak with Carlisle and indicated he wished to pursue the opportunity.
MK Dons would like to thank Mike, Ian, Chris and Carl for their efforts during their time at Stadium MK. Everyone at MK Dons wishes them every success in the future.
Dean Lewington will now temporarily take charge of the team and will take training tomorrow. The club captain will also be in the dugout when MK Dons face Doncaster Rovers at Stadium MK on Saturday.
Chairman Fahad Al Ghanim, CEO Neil Hart, Sporting Director Liam Sweeting and Performance and Operations Director Simon Crampton have already actively begun the search for a new Head Coach.
MK Dons look forward to updating supporters on the appointment very soon.
FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW MK DONS BOSS:
BetVictor – 19th September – 11am
Scott Lindsey – 3/1
Paddy McCarthy – 12/1
Ryan Mason – 12/1
Steven Schumacher – 12/1
Gareth Ainsworth – 14/1
Andrew Crofts – 14/1
Frank Lampard – 14/1
Leam Richardson – 14/1
Nigel Pearson – 14/1
Ryan Lowe – 14/1
✍️ Carlisle United are delighted to announce the appointment of Mike Williamson as the club’s Head Coach.
— Carlisle United FC (@officialcufc) September 19, 2024
CARLISLE STATEMENT:
Carlisle United Football Club are delighted to announce the appointment of Mike Williamson as the club’s Head Coach.
Williamson, 40, has left his role as Head Coach at MK Dons to make the move to Brunton Park.
He took over at Stadium:MK in October 2023 and led them to a fourth-placed finish last season.
Mike is joined by coaches Chris Bell, Carl Magnay and Ian Watson who have also been part of his coaching staff at MK Dons.
The former centre back made over 400 appearances during his playing career, most notably in the Premier League with Newcastle United, where he played over 150 times.
He went on to finish his playing career at Gateshead, where he initially signed as a player before being appointed as player-manager.
He led the Heed to the National League North title in his third season as manager and was named the manager of the season in the same year.
Fans reacted amid the favourites to become new MK Dons boss as their head coach leaves for Carlisle…
Mike Kingdon: Fails at one job and straight into another… jobs for the boys
Stu Clark: Yyyeeessssssss best news in weeks…..now please can we get a football manager and not a one dimensional boring non entity statistician of a PE teacher like this one was
Lacey Page: Thanks for everything Mike. Wishing you all the best, and sorry it didn’t work out! 🙂
Antony Metcalfe: Nice bloke and a smart move it was quickly coming to an end, so best all round. Best of luck apart from when you play us.
Mark Nicholas: Only a matter of time before Williamson would have been sacked anyway, especially after losing against AFC!
Zarak James: We need a manager who is not one dimensional who can play on the ground but when that doesn’t work he can adapt. I’m surprised that in the statement that we tried to keep him – we were trending down! I wish him the best personally. This next appointment is really important. I hope we go for EFL experience like a Neil Warnock/Big Sam type. I see this being Leam Richardson if I’m being honest.
Dawn Clark: Good luck to Mike and his coaching team ⚽️⚽️
Paul Siggers: He was obviously homesick. Good for the club and good for him.
Michael Polcino: Get rid of Dennis and Harrison then get real forwards 👌
David Saunders: Good luck to him. Can’t be too many people who get to jump before being pushed.
Jason Hammond: Couldn’t of come any sooner
Andy Kidby: Still a bit unsure how I feel about him going. Mixed feelings to be honest. Thought he was a good guy just a shame he wasn’t able to get the best out of his squad. Onwards and upwards with hope the new guy can achieve what we all want. Come on you Dons
Mike Thomas: We don’t really know the full story. Wouldn’t be surprised if he just didn’t settle down here as well
Christopher McNally: Good luck to him I hope for Carlisle fans he listens when change is needed in the play otherwise they will want him out. Now our new manager has to rebuild this team. And has to be the right man for the job hopefully with these new owners they spend money on a decent manager not a cheap yes Man with no Experience that has got us where we are League 2.
Russell O’donoghue: And the circus 🎪 continues…
Richard Weir: Welcome, big job on your hands, good luck.
Ryan Devlin: Good luck Mike! Big job ahead! Hopefully followed by the Sporting Director, UTB! 💙
Martin Payne: Welcome and let’s get behind the manager and players. Upwards and new hope has arrived.
Paul Bohaczewskyj: The very best of luck to you and your coaching team Mike, let’s hope you can get the players up and running for a successful season
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