Graham Alexander: MK Dons sack head coach after just 16 games in charge

Graham Alexander made more than 1,000 appearances during his playing career

MK Dons have sacked head coach Graham Alexander after just 16 games in charge of the League Two club.

The 52-year-old former Scotland international was appointed in May following last season's relegation.

But the Dons have failed to win any of their last eight league games and are currently 16th in the table.

Alexander previously managed Fleetwood, Scunthorpe, Salford and Scottish club Motherwell, who he guided to a Europa Conference League place in 2021-22.

His assistant Chris Lucketti has also left the club.

Alexander's final game in charge of the Dons was Saturday's home 2-2 draw with Barrow, when they conceded twice in added time at the end of the game, having led 2-0.

Afterwards, a downbeat Alexander told BBC Three Counties Radio: "It should be three points in the bag. But we have unbelievable ways of shooting ourselves in the foot.

"We had opportunities to see that game out and we're not making good decisions, and then it's a blind panic at 2-1."

He continued: "It's nothing to do with luck - 'I hope our luck changes, I hope someone sprinkles some magic dust over us' - we've got to stop believing in fairytales, it's about what we do every single day, and then go and do it in a game.

"I can't defend losing the three points. It's not a bunch of kids who hadn't played football before. Surely we understand we have to do this for this five minutes, or that for this five minutes, whatever you've been taught over the years?

"We can't walk them through it. We're trying to teach them and give them responsibility. You've got to make 1,000 decisions in that 90 minutes, or 95 minutes, you can't look over to us (coaches) and ask 'what do I do right now, what do I do at this throw-in, set-piece, corner?'."

The Dons were relegated to League Two in 2018, but bounced back to the third tier the following year.

They reached the League One play-offs under Liam Manning in 2022 before losing to Wycombe, but he was sacked last December with the team 23rd in the table.

Former Leeds coach Mark Jackson was brought in to replace him but only managed six wins in 25 games and relegation was confirmed following a 0-0 draw with Burton Albion on the final day of the season.

After parting company with Jackson, owner Pete Winkelman said "multiple things" had gone wrong, but later insisted Alexander "ticked all the boxes" in terms of experience and leadership.

The club made 11 signings over the summer and won four of their first five league games under Alexander to be top of the table at the end of August - but their only victories since then have come in the EFL Trophy.

They are back in action on Saturday with a trip to Accrington Stanley, to be followed by back-to-back home games against managerless Bradford City and Swindon Town on 24 and 28 October.

'A toxic atmosphere'

Analysis - BBC Three Counties Radio's Luke Ashmead

MK Dons parting company with Graham Alexander has not come as a complete surprise.

Winless in eight League Two games and most recently throwing a two-goal lead away in the 93rd and 95th minutes at home to Barrow. The open criticism of the team from their head coach following that result certainly felt like the writing was on the wall.

Where did it all go wrong? Manager of the month in August after winning four of his first five games, Alexander looked on course to be guiding the side back to League One at the first attempt. The league wins just stopped coming though and a number of abject performances led to a toxic atmosphere and a complete disconnect between fans and the club.

In situations like this there are always a number of factors at play. Do the players need to take responsibility? I think even they must admit it would be hard to shirk some blame. Alexander came across as a hardworking, no nonsense and honest person but ultimately the buck will always stop with the man in charge.

In the seven years between 2009 and 2016 MK Dons had two managers, Paul Ince and Karl Robinson. The next seven years between 2016 and 2023 they've had seven and that doesn't include interim managers.

The club is crying out for stability. Whoever the next man in charge of the Dons is they will have a squad capable of promotion. Can those players prove their ability? And can that next man motivate them to be back in League One?