MK Dons Head Coach Graham Alexander shared his thoughts after he met with the press for the first time since his appointment at Stadium MK on May 27.
Alexander, joined by Assistant Head Coach Chris Lucketti, views the upcoming season as a ‘fresh start’ for the side, whose objective is to ‘achieve success’. When talking to the press in preparation for the football restart, Graham had this to say:
On the targets for next season
“Success is the target. How we achieve that success I don't know yet, but we're here for a specific job. The club is at a level it does not expect to be at, but you have to do it right on the pitch. We know what we're here to do. Hopefully we can create a squad to do that.
“We've done it before, we've won promotion, we've taken Motherwell to European qualification. There are a lot of good clubs in League Two, with a lot of ambition and we're one of those. Everyone in the league will have hopes of being successful. You have to earn it and put the work in.
On the possibilities of the squad
Whilst on the topic of the objective for next season, the Head Coach was questioned about the current making of his squad as the summer transfer window opens, he replied “Our priority at the moment is to get the right players in. We've got some really good players already, but we've got to add to that.
“The recruitment side is right now, for the next three or four weeks before the players come back in for pre-season training, and throughout pre-season as well. We want the best quality. I'm not concerned about getting the squad complete before pre-season training, it's just important to get the right people in. If it takes a bit of time, so be it.
“I've travelled to meet a few players, I spoke to a few on the phone, but I don't be calling them to come in from wherever they are, I don't think it's right. I'm aware players and staff are on holiday, and I don't want to break into that. It's alright for me, I've been on holiday for the last eight or nine months! But a lot of guys have put a lot of work into a long season.
“I will communicate with everyone within our squad before they come back into training though.”
The current players who are out of contract were also mentioned within this conversation, the man at the helm commented “We look at everything when we want to create a winning squad, and there have been some conversations with certain players out of contract that we feel will be successful going forward.
“But there is also a need for fresh faces and new blood going into the new season. It's good to break up the status quo and to offer people a new challenge. It's good to bring new players in to freshen it up. But it's way too early to speak about individuals.”
On the possibilities of departure
As well as introducing ‘fresh faces’ to Stadium MK, Graham was asked about the likelihood of players’ departure from the club. In response, the Head Coach admitted “Everyone outside of Manchester City is a selling club, that’s the reality of it.”
Despite that fact, Alexander added “We've got ambitions here, and we're not looking to sell anybody. I'll speak to everyone before they get back, but I won't be talking about possible exit routes.
“We are committed to players, and players are committed to clubs. I think everyone has to take a responsibility for where the club is now.
“Any player will tell you they want to play higher than League Two, they'll all have ambitions to play higher. But every player wants to play in a winning team too.
“I'll always give people the option because I know what it's like, I've been there as a player, and you've got a carer to protect and look after. But we're not looking to sell anybody, and certainly not our best players. That'll only happen if money comes in that means we've got no choice. But we'll want to keep people here.”
