FIRST TEAM COACHING STAFF
Roberto Di Matteo - Manager
Roberto took his first steps into management when he took over as Dons manager in July 2008, succeeding Premier League-bound Paul Ince at the stadiummk helm.
Widely-known for his success as an exciting, technically-gifted midfielder with Chelsea in the late 90s, the 38-year-old's appointment saw a continuation of the attractive, attacking football Milton Keynes has grown to love gracing the new home of football in the city.
A thoughtful, intelligent pitchside operator, Robby's calm dugout persona disguises a burning desire to succeed - winning, as he puts it, by whatever means necessary.
Born in Switzerland to Italian parents, Robby won 34 caps for Italy in a playing career that saw him represent Swiss sides Schaffhausen, FC Zurich and FC Aarau as well as Italian club SS Lazio.
He joined Chelsea in 1996 and etched his name not only into Blues history, but that of the English game.
Famed for his lightning-quick strike after 43 seconds of the 1997 FA Cup Final against Middlesbrough, the fastest goal in a Wembley Cup Final, Di Matteo's love affair with the old stadium would continue during his time in West London.
He scored again as Gianluca Vialli's side won the 1998 League Cup, again against 'Boro, before winning another FA Cup Final with the only goal of the game against Aston Villa in 2000. Having already scored the fastest, his goal against Villa was the last Cup Final goal scored under the Twin Towers.
Along with the League Cup success of 1998, Di Matteo helped Chelsea win their first European honour in 27 years when they lifted the European Cup Winners' Cup in Stockholm in the same season.
His playing days were cut tragically short in 2000, when a horrific leg break suffered during a UEFA Cup tie in Switzerland brought the curtain down on an illustrious career at the age of just 31.
Now 38 and having recently completed his UEFA 'A' Coaching Licence, his passion for the game in this country remains immense and the Dons are already feeling the benefit.
A man who made history, managing a Club looking to do the same.
Eddie Newton - Assistant Manager
Roberto's right-hand man and responsible for much of the first team coaching, Eddie is the man that makes training tick.
Eddie and Roberto first became acquainted in their playing days at Chelsea - Robby arriving in 1996 as the big-name signing and Eddie an established home-grown player in the Chelsea squad.
The pair struck up a formidable midfield partnership at the heart of the Blues midfield and both would go onto score in the 1997 FA Cup Final at Wembley, securing Ruud Gullit's team a 2-0 triumph over Middlesbrough.
After nine years playing at Stamford Bridge between 1990 and 1999, Newton had spells with Cardiff City, Birmingham City, Oxford United, Barnet and Hayes before turning his attention to a career in coaching.
Eddie honed his skills as a coach with the Chelsea Academy - transferring his outstanding technical ability and wonderfully-simplistic approach as a player to the insightful art of coaching.
Robby's decision to make Eddie his second in command looks an excellent one. Should their partnership in coaching resemble the one they shared in midfield, it will be an impressive combination.
Ade Mafe - First Team Fitness Coach
Having worked with Ade during his time with Chelsea, Roberto was quick to add the former athlete's fitness and conditioning expertise to his first team staff upon his arrival in Milton Keynes.
A 1984 Los Angeles Olympian, Mafe was the youngest ever Olympic 200m finalist aged just 18. He is also a world record-holder along with Linford Christie, Darren Braitewaite and John Regis in the 4x200m relay - the British foursome completing the race in 1m.22s.11.
Mafe was brought in as Chelsea's fitness coach by Ruud Gullit in 1996 and had huge success in improving the players' physical conditioning. He remained an integral part of the Blues coaching staff until 2004.
Having worked with Millwall last season, Ade has now been working continually in football for 12 years and brings a great deal of experience to his role.
A popular figure on the training ground, Ade has also shown his talents as a go-kart driver - winning the inaugural MK Dons Grand Prix at Daytona Racing in September.
