MK Dons: Chairman Pete Winkelman unsure of Karl Robinson future

Karl Robinson and Pete Winkelman speaking after MK Dons' relegation was confirmed

MK Dons chairman Pete Winkelman is unsure whether Karl Robinson will continue as manager following their relegation back to League One.

Robinson, 35, is the third longest-serving boss in English football's top four tiers, but could not keep the Dons up in their first Championship season.

"He's shown me great loyalty and he got us promoted," said Winkelman.

"Is he an important character? Yes. Does that mean he's the manager next year? I don't know."

MK Dons, promoted to the second tier for the first time in their history a year ago, were relegated after Saturday's 4-1 home defeat by Brentford.

Is the grass greener?

Karl Robinson has been MK Dons manager since replacing Paul Ince in 2010

Robinson has indicated he wants to remain at Stadium:MK, and the chairman said "it's in Karl's hands", but that he needs to prove he has learned the lessons of this season.

Winkelman told BBC Three Counties Radio: "He needs to want to do it, he needs to recognise some of the mistakes that we've made, he needs to want to do something about putting them right, he needs to show me that he's got the ambition and drive and passion to pick himself off the floor and go again.

"I think if he did all of those things, I wouldn't have a problem with him staying on as our manager, and I don't think many of our supporters and players would either.

"However, if he's taking it badly, if he's trying to look to all the other reasons, and try to put the responsibility elsewhere, if he feels the grass may be greener elsewhere, then this is an opportunity for him to go and do something about that too."

'Worst year of my life'

Winkelman was involved in moving the old Wimbledon FC to Milton Keynes in 2003 and led a consortium that bought the club from its Norwegian owners the following year.

But the 58-year-old said a poor season in the Championship was difficult to take and would make him reflect on his own position as well.

"We've got to see how much passion I can have. I've had probably the worst year personally in my life. But I'm still sitting here not telling you how wonderful the Rugby World Cup [Stadium:MK was one of the venues] was or what a brilliant stadium we've built, I'm trying to take responsibility for the things that have gone wrong," he continued.

"If I don't have that passion or commitment to come back then I won't last either."

Recruitment mistakes made

Former England defender Matthew Upson has struggled for fitness this season

Winkelman admitted there had been mistakes made with recruitment, including the signings of Christian Benavente, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Matthew Upson, Sergio Aguza and Dale Jennings, who made a combined 10 league appearances this season.

"None of those players were on our recruitment list. That gives you an idea of the quantum of mistakes we made," he added.

"Why I feel particularly responsible, and why I'm taking the heat, is because I was part of that decision-making process even though I knew at the time 'what are we doing?'

"It was a mistake in that we should have at least gone for one or two high-profile signings because that also reinforced the commitment to the players.

"I don't think I gave my senior players enough ammunition to go into the season with."