League One promotion winner and former Rotherham United manager Paul Warne has rejected the advances of League Two MK Dons two months after his sacking at Championship side Derby County.
The Dons have been in search of another new manager following the departure of Scott Lindsey earlier in the season. The League Two side have underperformed compared to what was expected of them this season, with many predicting them to be amongst the promotion spots.
However, Mike Williamson‘s ill-fated spell, coupled with Lindsey’s failure to get to grips with the Dons squad has caused the club to freefall down the League Two table, settling closer to the two relegation spots than even the play-offs.
Recruiting a new manager is not as easy as it looks on paper, MK Dons expect a certain style of football, a possession based, slow moving and control orientated approach that not every boss can achieve. It remains to be see whether their new ownership will continue this trend after the recent failure or continue with this methodology.
Bromley boss Andy Woodman stated that possession based football was only of interest to “new data driven people and owners with an over-inflated ego on how football should be played”, speaking exclusively to THE DECK.
Luke Williams has been mentioned amongst several options that would very much slot into what has been expected from the club over the past few years.
Paul Warne Rejects MK Dons Manager Approach
MK Dons are ambitious, they have money, a big stadium and are not content with sitting idly by in League Two. Many of the potential options that have been mentioned have either been from League One or Championship managers that might be looking for a step down after some misfortune.
Paul Warne is one such name, having worked his magic in League One for much of his managerial career, and earned the right for a chance in the Championship, convincing him to drop into League Two would be seen as a coup. Rumours were sparked as an Instagram story appeared to show him travelling to speak with a club, but shortly afterwards Pete O’Rourke confirmed that he had in fact turned down MK Dons. With several jobs in League One and the Championship likely to come available at the end of the season, he may be looking for a better opportunity based on his CV.
MK Dons Still Looking for their League Two Saviour
Lindsey on paper, looked to be a wise choice to be their new manager, but whether it was the players, or the former Swindon Town man that was at fault, he was unable to save them. Now Paul Warne has declined their approach, it leaves them scrambling around, there are managers on the market such as Steve Evans but none who really suit the MK Dons method of playing, and/or are willing to step down into League Two.
A potential name could be Michael Appleton. He had been keen to stay in League One, but after a period on the sidelines and potentially dropping into League Two with Shrewsbury Town he could be an interesting prospect. He coaches a style of football that is not too dissimilar to what MK Dons expect and has had success. He also has a decent contact book that has seen the likes of Brennan Johnson and Morgan Rogers appear on loan during his previous jobs. He is out of contract at Shrewsbury in the summer, and may be convinced to join an ambitious upward looking League Two side.