MK Dons have took to sack their manager after fans fume at chairman Pete Winkelman following relegation from League One at the weekend.
Mark Jackson said he had no idea what his future would be at MK Dons, but he wanted to stay as the head coach even if they dropped to League Two.
Dons had to win to stay in the third tier, but missed countless opportunities and ended up with a 0-0 tie against Burton, with Cambridge replacing them outside the drop zone.
When Jackson came in December, the length of his contract was not disclosed, though he told BBC Three Counties Radio the club is “set up for success” and he “wants to be a part of it”.
“The club is a fantastic club,” the 45-year-old said. “I feel like I can bring things to the table as a manager and I want to do that. I am confident in my ability.”
Jackson was appointed with the club second bottom in League One and in his first game, he led them to victory against Forest Green Rovers.
However, he only managed to collect 24 points in the 24 matches and were only one from safety based on goal differential.
When asked if he would be able to lead an attempt to return instantly to League One, Jackson replied that he was “unsure”.
“In a short space of time I’ve come into the club in a difficult situation. I knew what I was coming into,” he added.
“I fully believe in our ability as a staff to achieve our goal. I couldn’t get it over the line but I am confident in my ability as a manager and a coach to create a style of football and a team that can win games and compete.
“Ultimately we have not got over the line so that’s really disappointing, but we’ll see what happens.”
Chairman Pete Winkelman will meet with the media on Thursday to address the Club’s relegation to Sky Bet League Two and to discuss next steps for MK Dons.
— Milton Keynes Dons (@MKDonsFC) May 9, 2023
CLUB STATEMENT:
Milton Keynes Dons Football Club have parted company with Head Coach Mark Jackson, following the Club’s relegation to Sky Bet League Two.
Assistant Head Coach Robbie Stockdale and Technical Insights Analyst Aaron Dagger will also depart the Football Club.
The Club would like to thank Mark, Robbie and Aaron for their efforts during their time at Stadium MK. Everyone at MK Dons wishes them every success in the future.about:blank
Chairman Pete Winkelman will meet with the media on Thursday to address the Club’s relegation to Sky Bet League Two and to discuss next steps for MK Dons.
MK Dons fans not happy! #MKDons #EFL #LeagueOne #BAFC pic.twitter.com/4YbCRS8DiJ
— steve thacker (@redmansteve) May 7, 2023
MK Dons fans after relegation to league 2 😬 #mkdons #mk #bafc pic.twitter.com/KHw3d7rv2L
— Ben Crutchley (@bencrutchleyy) May 7, 2023
TOP SIX FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW MK DONS BOSS:
Danny Cowley – 5/1
Darrell Clarke – 6/1
David Artell – 10/1
Steve Cotterill – 10/1
Leam Richardson – 12/1
Nathan Jones – 12/1
Graham Alexander – 12/1
Jackson said after the game, as per NewsChain Online: “It’s really raw and emotional right now. Heartbreaking. Words can’t describe how we feel and how we feel for the supporters and the club.
“We knew we had to come here and win the game. From minute one we went after the game, created opportunities and chances.
“They (Burton) had to defend for their lives and make blocks on the line. We took the game to them and the only thing we couldn’t do today was put the ball in the back of the net.
There is a lot of work to do and take stock of. Reflection is a big part of football.
“There were crucial moments over that run, drawing at Cheltenham and at home to Barnsley last week but we knew we had to come here today and win to secure our survival and the boys left everything out on the pitch.
“They did everything we asked of them. You can look at today’s game but we are in the position we are in not due to one game but over the whole of the season.”
As mentioned, MK Dons sack their manager after fans fume at the chairman following relegation from League One…
@stodge_p: Season ticket holder since NHS. First time I’m considering cancelling @MKDonsFC season ticket.
@AlexHarvey124: Not his fault! Sweeting needs to go, 2 fairly decent mangers lost there jobs bc of him😡
@CNinety2: What MK Dons need is to have a proper connection with their fans and the city. They need to let go of trying to prove their ‘move’ was worthwhile and start engaging themselves as their OWN football club. They are at a stage where they now have fans that have only known MK Dons and are moving away from the ‘borrowed fans’ of other clubs living in MK. They have good support for League 1/2 attendances but the board need to stop acting like they should be above that… Focus on the community, focus on building and blooding in youngsters from their own academy. Build like a proper football club but build like their own football club and not as the spin off club they are seen as. Until they at board level accept their identity nobody else will
@BenjaminGrocott: Parting company with the football league in 12 months 👌🏻🤞🏻
@matthew2215: Wasn’t his fault at all, I’m sorry Mark you didnt deserve this, its all on the cowardly Winkelman and @LiamSweeting
@josh14662: Not his fault at all
@pdmkd: How many managers have we had in recent years ? The problem is not the manager. Wasn’t with Manning and isn’t with Jacko. Sad to see this, always am when managers go but, and I appreciate it wasn’t scientific, my poll suggests little fan support for Jacko to go Vs other exits
@joefriess: Mark Jackson is the easiest thing to change, but far, far from the biggest issue. Feel this is a cop out from the club, so that they appear to be doing something. He wasn’t perfect, but this is very harsh. #mkdons
@alfiemkd: So harsh on Jacko. Wish him all the best
@westerbuck: We got a promising young coach to leave the club he loved only to hang him out to dry 6 months later. And people wonder why there is no loyalty in football? What promising young coach would find us an attractive proposition now? Sorry Jacko – you deserved better #mkdons
@HStafford97: What a shit show of a club 😂😂😂
@SamPhilbrick1: Wrong man Pete…
@jamie_mkd: Announce Winkleman selling too while you’re at it 👍
@NiickLane: Harsh. Came into a shit show. Really need experience now, let’s hope we get it right…
@i8wigan: No To Franchise Football
@maxjoshwright: fucking joke, thank you for everything Jacko you’ve been failed by the ones above you, best of luck to you in your next adventure. @jacko55555
@Chrisdonlevy15: Another manager thrown under the bus for the incompetence of those above. All the best @jacko55555 you deserved so much better than what you were given
@Alm1ghtyA: Was bound to happen, came in to keep us up and failed. Don’t think he’s fully to blame though, the higher ups need to also accept accountability for this failure.
— AJ🤙😳 (@ytfcaj00) May 9, 2023
You must be logged in to post a comment Login