Karl Robinson this evening announced that Richie Barker has agreed to assist him for the remainder of the season.
Barker will offer support to the MK Dons boss following Gary Waddock’s appointment as Oxford United manager last week.
The 38-year-old, who left Portsmouth on Thursday, will be in the dugout for the clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Speaking to mkdons.com, Robinson said: "He is regarded as a very good English manager and he has a wonderful track record.
"When you can bring in another manager who will have different ideas, fresh ideas, to enhance me and the group, I think it’s an unbelievable opportunity.
"He’s got his Pro Licence too and qualifications are something I believe in. He’s probably someone the fans would like as the manager of the Football Club so for him to want to assist me is a tremendous testament to the way we do things.
"I know he’s thoroughly excited by the challenge and no disrespect to where he’s been before but this is a massive football club, a growing club."
Barker earned promotion to League 1 with Bury in 2011 after guiding the Shakers to six straight victories in April as caretaker manager.
After a spell as permanent Bury boss, he joined Crawley Town, spending 18 months at Broadfield Stadium and leading the Red Devils to a 10th place finish in 2012/13.
Barker was appointed manager of Sky Bet League 2 side Portsmouth in December 2013 and after three months in Hampshire, he moves to stadiummk to assist Robinson in the Dons’ play-off push.
The former Football League striker, who made over 475 League appearances for the likes of Brighton & Hove Albion, Rotherham United and Mansfield Town, brings a wealth of coaching and playing experience to the Dons’ backroom staff.
Barker said: "I’m very pleased to be here. It’s an excellent opportunity for myself and I’m looking forward to helping the Club, in particular the manager and the staff, to try and get us into the play-offs.
"It’s something different having managed for the past three years and I want to be able to offer my support at a fantastic Club.
"Initially I started as a coach before I became a manager. If I’m honest, after I left Crawley I considered coaching rather than management. This time, after driving away from Portsmouth, I thought coaching would be for me again and so it’s proved.
"There’s a great group of lads here, a very responsive group. There’s a massive respect from the players for the manager, who I also have a lot of respect for. It’s a fantastic club that’s going in the right direction."
