Next MK Dons Manager Odds: Four options to replace Mark Jackson
Two head coaches, a measly 11 wins, and relegation on the final day. It’s fair to say that the 2022/23 campaign was an absolute shocker for MK Dons, who this time last year were fighting it out for a prized place in the Championship.
The club, who axed Liam Manning in December, swiftly sacked his replacement Mark Jackson on Tuesday following their dismal drop down to the fourth tier.
Who will Chairman Pete Winkelman opt for next as he bids to resurrect the club and orchestrate an instant return to League One?
Here are four potential options…
Michael Appleton
At the time of writing, it’s Michael Appleton who has emerged as the odds-on favourite to become the next MK Dons manager.
With over 400 games on his CV, the 47-year-old brings a cabinet of experience, knowledge, and success operating in the EFL.
He previously propelled Oxford out of League Two and to two cup finals, then nearly fired Lincoln City into the Championship.
Appleton, who has a Masters in Sports Directorship, has been out-of-work since January and is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 29-game stint at Blackpool.
Luke Williams
Luke Williams, a former assistant to Russell Martin at MK Dons, is worth keeping an eye on over the next couple of weeks with this one likely to hinge on whether Notts County get promoted into League Two.
The 42-year-old has enjoyed a superb debut season at the helm of The Magpies, bringing new ideas and a fresh energy to conjure up a compelling challenge to big-spending Wrexham for the National League title.
Despite accumulating a staggering 107 points, scoring a league-high 117 goals and losing just three games, they cruelly missed out on top spot, meaning they are now seeking promotion through the play-offs.
Should Notts County succeed in their quest, then it’s difficult to envision Williams departing - unless a Championship or League One club comes calling - however, should they agonisingly fall short then MK Dons could be on hand to offer the talented young coach a direct route into League Two.
At 40/1, he represents a massive price.
Danny Cowley
Danny Cowley is an interesting one to ponder at 16/1.
Cowley has been linked with a plethora of posts since leaving Portsmouth in February - from Reading to Aberdeen - and given the amount of EFL jobs that are open right now it won’t come as a huge surprise if he and brother Nicky return to the touchline this summer.
Their availability, ability to develop an effective team culture, and first-hand experience of winning promotion out of League Two - with Lincoln City - make the hard-working and well-prepared duo an attractive option for a club looking for a dose of impetus following their dismal season.
Karl Robinson
Fourth and finally, how about a second spell for Karl Robinson?
Inevitably the club's former long-serving boss features high-up in the betting at 6/1.
Robinson spent six years managing the club - between 2010 and 2016 - during which he won promotion to the Championship and oversaw a 4-0 thrashing of Louis van Gaal's Man Utd.
The 42-year-old has since held spells at Charlton and Oxford, while he's currently working as Sam Allardyce's assistant at a Leeds side fighting tooth-and-nail for Premier League survival.
We'll have to wait and see whether the duo remain in charge of the Whites past the current campaign - Big Sam is the 9/4 favourite for the full-time job - but should Robinson be keen to return to familiar surroundings as No.1 then he could prove to be a viable option.