Just less than 24 hours after Paul Tisdale was sacked by Milton Keynes Dons following eight defeats in nine matches, the club have quickly appointed a new manager.
Russell Martin begins his role with immediate effect and will take charge of his first match next weekend at when MK Dons take on Port Vale in the FA Cup First Round Proper.
#MKDons are delighted to announce the appointment of Russell Martin as First-Team Manager ✍️
— MK Dons (@MKDonsFC) November 3, 2019
Speaking to mkdons.com, Martin said: “I’m excited and proud to have been given this opportunity to become manager of MK Dons. Football management is something that I’ve been preparing for, for a long time and this is an opportunity I’m ready to take on.
“I would like to thank Paul Tisdale for bringing me to the Football Club and for his hard work during my time here. We will always remember celebrating that special moment at the end of last season.
“I must also thank Pete Winkelman and the board for placing their trust in me. I accept their challenge to improve on the recent results and the current league position, and I will give everything I’ve got to repay their faith.
“We’ve got work to do and we will need everyone working as one in order to achieve what we want to achieve – players, staff and fans included. We will turn this around together.”
Martin has made over 580 appearances as a player across all four divisions in England as well as the Scottish Premiership, achieving five promotions while also earning 29 international caps for Scotland.
He moved to Stadium MK in January and played a crucial role in helping the Dons secure promotion from Sky Bet League Two at the first time of asking.
Off the pitch, Martin is currently completing his UEFA Pro Licence and League Managers’ Association Diploma in Football Management.
Chairman Pete Winkelman said of the appointment: “Ever since Russell joined the Club, we recognised his potential to one day become a manager.
“It’s certainly happening faster than we expected but I’m excited to give Russell the chance and show us all what we can do.
“He’s taking over the Club mid-season and faces an immediate challenge given recent form, but we have great confidence in his ability to turn this season’s fortunes around and head the Club back in the right direction.”
Russell Martin and Pete Winkelman will meet with the media on Monday afternoon.
Following Russell Martin’s appointment, fans took to give a rather mixed reaction – see those tweets on the next page.
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