Pete Winkelman insists it was a ‘difficult and emotional’ decision to part company with first-team manager Karl Robinson last weekend.
After six years in charge, Robinson left Stadium MK by mutual consent on Sunday, following the Dons’ 3-0 loss at home to Southend United – a defeat which leaves the team just one point adrift of the Sky Bet League One relegation places in 19th.
During his time as boss, Robinson led the Club to its first-ever promotion to the Sky Bet Championship and also provided a number of long-lasting memories, such as unforgettable victories and by developing superb young players such as Dele Alli and Brendan Galloway.
All those highs made it a tough decision for the chairman.
“It was a very difficult and very emotional weekend,” he told MK Dons PlayerHD. “It was not a decision I took lightly and it’s more than a heavy heart.
“I’ve got so much time and respect for Karl. We gave him his first opportunity and I think Karl is a top-drawer manager. He’s a great bloke, who absolutely got Milton Keynes, so turn my back on all that is a big deal.
During his time as boss, Robinson led the Club to its first-ever promotion to the Sky Bet Championship and also provided a number of long-lasting memories, such as unforgettable victories and by developing superb young players such as Dele Alli and Brendan Galloway.
All those highs made it a tough decision for the chairman.
“It was a very difficult and very emotional weekend,” he told MK Dons PlayerHD. “It was not a decision I took lightly and it’s more than a heavy heart.
“I’ve got so much time and respect for Karl. We gave him his first opportunity and I think Karl is a top-drawer manager. He’s a great bloke, who absolutely got Milton Keynes, so turn my back on all that is a big deal.
“We’ve already had a number of agents contact the Club and applicants. While I’m not going to go into detail on who has applied, some of the names that we are seeing are interesting and potentially exciting.”
“I’m not going to be rushed into a decision because this is probably the most important footballing decision I’m going to make. We are going to do a very thorough job.
Winkelman, though, insists the process will be a thorough and detailed one as he looks to find the right man to take charge.
The task now for Winkelman and the board is to find Robinson’s successor and that process has started, with a number of applicants already making their case for the position.
“We’re in a results-led business so although the commitment and loyalty was always there, there comes a time.”
“I think everyone who was in the stadium on Saturday will know there were a couple of moments where you could see that it was maybe the end of an era and maybe time for a change.
“Having said all of that, there are times in football when you need a change. Sometimes things happen in football, things that you cannot plan for or know are going to happen.
“We’ve also got a reputation for doing a few high-profile things.”
"We’re in the middle of the season now, though, so we don’t have that long to prepare and therefore an experienced manager might be what’s called for.
“There three categories of manger – there’s doing the Milton Keynes Dons ‘let’s try something new’ with somebody that has a great coaching record.
So what type of manager is Winkelman looking for?
