MK Dons are pleased to announce that Richie Barker has been appointed as the Club’s new head of coaching on a permanent basis.
Barker was brought in to support boss Karl Robinson for the final six games of last season following the departure of Gary Waddock.
The 38-year-old brings with him a wealth of coaching and playing experience to stadiummk, having made over 475 Football League appearances and managed the likes of Bury, Crawley Town and Portsmouth.
Barker told MK Dons Player: “I’m very pleased. Once we sat down and had the discussion, it didn’t take very long to be honest. I enjoyed my initial six weeks, which I thought I would anyway, but I did even more than I thought I would.
“We’ve almost run out of football on TV now and I always know you are ready to come back to work when you’re bored – I got bored about 10 days ago! I’m ready to start again now.”
He guided 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-placed finish in 2012/13.
Barker was appointed manager of Sky Bet League 2 side Portsmouth in December 2013 and but left after just three months in Hampshire before joining up with Robinson in Milton Keynes.
Executive director Andrew Cullen added: “We’re delighted to have secured Richie’s services on a permanent basis.
“He is somebody Karl wants as part of his backroom team and Richie fits in perfectly with the Club’s ethos and ambition.
“He is a very talented coach who has experience of both playing and managing at this level and we’re excited to see him continue his work with the first-team and the younger players to help drive the Football Club forward.”
An exclusive interview with Richie will be available to view on MK Dons Player later today.
