Mike Dodds says farewell to Sunderland, where he had been assistant, for the role as head coach at Wycombe Wanderers.
He signed a contract that extends until June 2028, coming in to replace Matt Bloomfield, who left the club for Luton Town last month.
Dodds was an integral part of Sunderland’s coaching staff, where he played a significant role in player development and recruitment.
His move to Wycombe has sparked a range of reactions among Sunderland fans; some lament his departure, appreciating his contributions, while others question his readiness for a head coach position based on his interim stints.
However, Wycombe supporters are looking forward with optimism to what Dodds can bring to the team, hoping his experience will translate into success on the pitch.
The Chairboys currently sit 2nd in League One with 59 points from 29 games played, 4 points behind leaders Birmingham (who have 2 games in hand), and are also 4 points ahead of 3rd place Wrexham.
🤝 Wycombe Wanderers are pleased to confirm that Mike Dodds will become our new first-team Head Coach, signing a contract until June 2028. pic.twitter.com/fsIzPFyuBF
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) February 2, 2025
WYCOMBE STATEMENT:
Wycombe Wanderers are pleased to confirm that Mike Dodds will become our new first-team Head Coach, signing a contract until June 2028.
After a thorough and comprehensive process, we are delighted to welcome Mike to the club. Despite the pressures of a mid-season appointment, we took the necessary time to ensure we made the right decision, focusing on the long-term vision of Wycombe Wanderers.
“We are confident that his leadership will help us further strengthen our pathway from youth to first-team football.”
Mike joins us with a wealth of experience in coaching and player development at Coventry City, Birmingham City and most recently Sunderland, having worked extensively in elite football environments at both academy and first-team level. His track record in improving individual players developing young talent was a key factor in our decision, as we believe this will be crucial to our long-term success.
In addition, Mike shares our vision of building the club through innovation and data, ensuring that we continue to evolve and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape. He also strongly aligns with our commitment to the academy being an integral part of our future strategy, and we are confident that his leadership will help us further strengthen our pathway from youth to first-team football.
Mike will begin working with the squad on Thursday and Friday, leading into Saturday’s fixture against Preston North End. Until then, Sam Grace, Sam Vokes and the interim coaching staff will continue to oversee preparations and will remain an important part of our football staff moving forward.
We will work closely with Mike to build the rest of the coaching team in due course, ensuring we have the right structure in place to support our ambitions.
We look forward to introducing Mike to you all soon and embarking on this exciting new chapter together.
Mike Dodds will leave Sunderland AFC next week to become Head Coach of Wycombe Wanderers.
Thank you and all the best for the future, Doddsy 🤝
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) February 2, 2025
SUNDERLAND STATEMENT:
Assistant Head Coach Mike Dodds will leave Sunderland AFC next week.
The 38-year-old will depart following Monday’s fixture at Middlesbrough to become Head Coach of promotion-chasing Wycombe Wanderers, who currently sit second in Sky Bet League One Dodds moved to Wearside in 2021 following a decade at Birmingham City where he made a significant contribution to the development of many elite talents.
He became Head of Individual Player Development upon his arrival in the North East and led the Club’s Under-21s before becoming an integral part of the first-team set-up.
Dodds took charge of the senior team on an interim basis several times, leading by example and with class and integrity throughout these periods.
After making a lasting impact on players and staff alike, who will all miss his presence on the training pitch and beyond, we wish him well in this exciting next step of his career.
Kristjaan Speakman said: “Although it’s disappointing to lose such a valuable member of staff, this is an incredible opportunity for Mike to take the next step in his career.
He’s fulfilled several roles during his time with us to support the pursuit of our ambitions and he has always done so with great professionalism.
We would not have made the progress we have over the last four years without his contribution. On a personal note, I’ve worked with Mike for over a decade, and I’m delighted that his dedication to his craft has culminated in this opportunity.
Everyone at Sunderland AFC wishes him the best of luck at Wycombe Wanderers.”
Dodds added: “After four incredible seasons, my time at Sunderland AFC has come to an end.
I would like to thank Kyril and Kristjaan for their trust and support and I depart with a deep respect for their leadership and vision for the Club’s future.
I’ve had the honour of working alongside some incredible people, including Alex Neil and Tony Mowbray, who were both fantastic mentors.
Equally, the Club is in a strong place and I have no doubts that Régis will lead it to even greater successes alongside an incredible group of players, whose unwavering professionalism and desire to improve meant every day was a privilege.
Finally, I must express my gratitude to the Club’s fans for their passion and support, which is truly unmatched.
It’s never easy to say goodbye, but I leave Sunderland with a full heart and great anticipation for what lies ahead. Thank you for making Wearside feel like home.”
Twitter users reacted after Mike Dodds says farewell to Sunderland as he leaves for the head coach role at Wycombe…
@mackem49000: Thanks for everything Doddsy I wish you and your family the very best!
@GILESY1973: Good luck dodds lad 👍🏼
@essarrsix: Best of luck to him. Strange timing on our part to be messing with the back room staff.
@TerryHobkirk: His work here will always be underappreciated by some but i hope he goes on to smash it, wish him all the best
@tonyguk: Rode a wave of challenges when he forced to step up and then stepped down respectfully when RLB joined. Fantastic with the players and wish him all the best.
@AlanBSTID: The club is forever evolving, it’s his time to step aside, I wish him well despite all he put us through
@WesleyA78521123: A real shame but deserves a crack at management. He has been a shining light and a constant behind the scenes in good and bad. Also had a great deal to do with Jobe signing and development. All the best Dodds. Go smash it! Up the wanderers and HWTL
@Marshy_SAFC: Thank you for Leeds at home, all the best
@Marksafctrees: Good luck Doddsy, thanks for all the hard work and dedication to SAFC, without doubt we would not be in the top 4 at this moment in time without your help
@FTM1042: Good luck Mike. A good coach in my opinion & look at how highly the Bellingham’s rate Dodds. Wish you the very best in management. 🔴⚪️ let’s give DODDSY a send off tomorrow night
@JamieArm2003: Good luck doddsy. Channel your inner leeds at home 23-24 and you’ll thrive
@PeterClewes2: Excellent coach and will be missed but what a great opportunity to further his career. Hopefully the start of a fantastic new chapter for him. Good luck and thank you. Top bloke
@BcfcPrinceton: That’s some appointment that Wycombe 💪. Doddsy is class on and off the pitch. Just ask the bellingham family 👍🏻
@alanmgormley: From a Birmingham City fan. He’s a terrific coach and great with youngsters – Jude, Jobe. I hope he makes a successful transition for you from coach to manager, as Chris Davies has done for us. Obviously not at our expense though 😂
@FTM1042: DODDSY is a top coach. Look at how highly the Bellingham brothers rate & respect him for the way he nurtured & developed the Bellingham’s when they were both at Birmingham city. A key asset Mike has been to Sunderland over the last 4 years & I wish him well at Wycombe 👊
@lord_barrold: Wish him all the best. Loved by the SAFC players and plenty of our Head Coaches / Managers kept him in their coaching team. Not sure his second spell as caretaker last season should be focused on too much. SAFC fans were raving about him during that interim after Mowbray
@WesleyA78521123: A real shame but deserves a crack at management. He has been a shining light and a constant behind the scenes in good and bad. Also had a great deal to do with Jobe signing and development. All the best Dodds. Go smash it! Up the wanderers and HWTL 🫱🏻🫲🏼
@Nimrod042: Welcome. Fits perfectly with the stated club mission/ethos. Hope Sam G gets to support him the first few weeks before going back yo his player development role.
@matt_wyc: Welcome to the Club. Quite excited about this
@thegmugroup: A key reason why Jobe left us for Sunderland – looks like a really good appointment Wycombe
@Nothing_But_T: Welcome to the family Mike! We’ll all be behind you & the boys and hopefully we’ll achieve special things together 💙🩵 #COYB
@apcwwfc: Welcome to the club Mike! Exciting new era with a young coach at the helm. Will be interesting to see who the backroom staff are. COYB. 🩵💙

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