It’s that time of the year when a few bad results can leave a football manager with their jacket on a shaky peg – just ask Jose Mourinho.
AFC Wimbledon is no different, moving decisively by becoming the latest club to part ways with their boss Neal Ardley his assistant Neil Cox both leaving the club ‘by mutual consent’ this week.
Ardley had been the third-longest serving gaffer in the top four leagues…but a last-gasp win over Haringey Borough in the FA Cup ultimately wasn’t enough to paper over the growing cracks; 10 defeats in 12 league games is relegation form.
It has been an eventful six years for the Dons under Ardley, avoiding the drop from the Football League in 2015 before reaching League One for the first time (not to mention leapfrogging MK Dons in the league standings).
Fans of the club appear largely disappointed to see him go, clinging to the good times.
First-team coach Simon Bassey has been put in temporary charge, with ex-Ipswich boss Paul Hurst currently among the favourites to take over.
Former Premier League stalwarts Ian Holloway and Mick McCarthy are also believed to be in the running, while Leyton Orient boss Justin Edinburgh could be an outsider for the role.
With tough games coming up against Doncaster, Southend and third-placed Peterborough before the FA Cup 2nd Round tie against Morecambe or Halifax, the fans will be hoping for a swift recruitment process – and the deadline is this Friday if you fancy chucking in an application!
Written by Mike Oldham
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Image Credit: All images belong to AFC Wimbledon.
About The Author
Mike Oldham
Mike Oldham is a seasoned journalist and blogger bringing us the latest in sports news. Since moving from Scotland Mike has worked in a number of roles in media and sport, and now runs events in the education industry.