MK Dons chairman Pete Winkelman devastated as he talks club’s relegation and says he “blew it”

MK Dons chairman Pete Winkelman expresses how devastated he was as he talks about the club’s relegation to League Two and says he “blew it”.

He opened up in an interview about his efforts in keeping the club in League One, and how he will hire the next coach.

After failing to win the final game of the season, against Burton, Mark Jackson was axed from his post at Stadium MK after just five months at the helm, with relegation to the fourth tier for the first time since their promotion season in 2018-19.

This caps off a depressing campaign, who came close to going up to the Championship last term before losing in the playoffs the season prior.

After uprooting Wimbledon’s football team and promising to bring Premier League football to the people of Milton Keynes, it appears as if Pete Winkelman is finally falling out of favour with MK Dons fans after the club’s relegation to League Two. pic.twitter.com/OsGJrtlp4V

— Natter Football (@NATTERFOOTBALL) May 8, 2023

Chairman Pete Winkelman told the media: “I’m devastated.

“There have been multiple things that have gone wrong but, even in the last game, it was still in our hands, and I thought we were going to be okay. The end of that Burton game was absolutely and utterly devastating for myself and for the supporters. For that, I am so sorry.

“As the Chairman I take that responsibility. If I could sack myself, I would. I was around all of the major decisions that were made so I’ve definitely looked at myself and questioned whether I still could’ve done extra things.

“But, what’s done is done. I can’t change it and I can’t keep apologising for it because it’s here and we’ve got to deal with it.

“I want to be very clear that this is now about how we get out of this, how we put things right and how we go forward.”

The Club’s first task will be to appoint a new manager, following the departure of Head Coach Mark Jackson in the aftermath of the 2022/23 season.

“Mark was so close to achieving the goal set. Questions will be asked about appointing someone without a lot of experience behind them during the situation we were in and that is reasonable, but had we got that goal to keep us up then he would have done the job.

“I’ve seen the performance metrics and you’ll be surprised to see how much of that is green whilst under Mark. He helped us back to some of the performance levels we saw last year.

“But, without the goals and the results that mattered, we will now be going for a different sort of manager going forward, as much as I love our reputation of young managers and risk taking.

“I’m saying no to a lot of people who, at another time, I’d have been seriously interested in, because we’re being very specific. We’ve nailed the brief, what we’re looking for and what would make us feel confident.

“I know what I need to see, and I think it’s what everyone else wants to see. Everyone on our shortlist will have achieved certain things. I want to do everything we can to find someone who can go up north, in the rain on a Tuesday night, and get us three points.

“I’m going to see a lot more people, so I don’t know how long it will take. I might have to have a second round with some of them, some people might not like my process and pull out. We won’t know until we know.

“If I could have a new manager tomorrow, it wouldn’t be too soon, but if it takes a month, it takes a month. We’ve got a little bit of time.

“From a recruitment stand point, we are aware of players that are around, all of that is still going on, so when the manager comes in and wants to talk about the team, we’ve got everything ready.

“What I can tell you is that any manager coming into the club won’t come in unless they believe they will lead us to a promotion push. We need to see if we can turn it into an acceptable year because we have got to get back to League One.”

This is what fans had to say as MK Dons chairman Pete Winkelman expresses how devastated he is as he talks about the club’s relegation and says he “blew it”…

@Steveamos1989: Best ground in the National League oh sorry that’s the following season 😂😂😂

@KZYprxductions: Could just leave the club Winkleman, oh and liquidate it too 👍🏻

@PeterDavidKirby: #MKDons keep bringing the comedy. Just make sure you keep it in the bottle though, yeah. 😆

@the_kiterarti: God i hate listening to Winkie. EVERY SINGLE TIME I FORGIVE HIM. He’s a great speaker and im an easy target. Love him. Love MK Dons. Come on Winkie. I BELIEVE

@G72Jonny: Fronted up… same old same old in terms of spin but.. fair play for doing so. Actions will now be judged much higher than words. Carpe Diem

@ollielad24: Nothing changes for me just a extended version of the last few seasons end of the day actions speak louder than words I back the players but backing the board 😡

@apcwwfc: To be fair to him he’s right getting out of a division is really, really hard and credit where it’s due he’s done a great job of it this year!! 😂🤣

@Murray_MK: LS has to take some of the blame however I agree with PW. LS shouldn’t have been a front man and maybe the huge fan praise clouded his judgement. Nothing else PW could say here. He’s come out and been honest again. Now it’s time for action.

@Coisrig: New manager will have experience and track record which is essential if we’re going to have any hope for 23/24

@TyJenner: Take that with a pinch of salt. Action’s definitely speak louder than words though. Big year coming up.

@jack_liddiard: Can’t believe I’m saying this, but fair response this – not really anything more he can say at this stage. He’s apologised and answered the questions put to him. Fine for now, but actions speak far louder than words. Time will tell.

@Lewis11839401: Significant investment is needed in the players squad. Brave decision on the management, but we need to retain the playing style.

We’re getting bingo today boys pic.twitter.com/VIoPuIaecD

— Chris (@christ12mk) May 11, 2023