We will take our time and get it right – Pete
Winkelman speaks out on new manager search
Chairman Pete Winkelman says he will not be rushed into a decision on who will replace Roberto Di Matteo as manager of MK Dons.
The Italian boss left to take over as manager of Championship side West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday - the same day Dons returned for pre-season training.
But despite the opening game of the League One season being just over a month away, the Dons chairman insists he will take his time in choosing a successor to Di Matteo.
"We are used to being in this situation and we know the best way to go about finding the right man to continue to take this football club forward," he explained.
"We will do this properly, take our time, and hopefully find the right man for this football club. When we think we have the right man we will move."
Winkelman is certainly no stranger when it comes to recruiting Dons managers, with the next in line set to become the club's fourth boss in just three years.
And the charismatic chairman admitted he was slightly disappointed to be going through the whole process again, having only given Di Matteo his big break 12 months ago.
"I'm half flattered while half feeling slightly frustrated. There is never a dull moment when it comes to MK Dons though that's for sure."
Di Matteo completed his move to West Brom on Tuesday evening, with assistant boss Eddie Newton and fitness coach Ade Mafe following him to the Hawthorns. And Winkelman said he couldn't stand in their way when the call came in on Monday night.
"I've always said that if a player or manager of this football club gets the chance to move on and better themselves at a bigger club then we won't stand in their way.
"West Brom are a huge club and I really don't begrudge any of them for going."
Di Matteo signed a long contract extension with Dons last year in a deal which would have kept him at stadium:mk until early 2011. And it is understood a six-figure compensation package was agreed with the Baggies.
Winkelman also insists he has no problems with the way the midlanders went about their business.
"I have no qualms with West Brom and they were perfectly professional in the way they did their business. Although a bit more notice may have been good," he said.
"But Di Matteo was hot property and it can't really come as a surprise when other clubs are suddenly interested in him."
Dons will still fly to Portugal for a 10-day training camp today (Thursday) and return on July 12. Their opening warm-up game before the new season is on Saturday July 18 as they visit Windsor and Eton.
But Winkelman said it isn't a certainty his new man will be in place by then.
"The process has begun and applications are flooding in already. In fact there were people applying for the job before it had even become available," he said.
"But all I can stress is that we are going to be doing this properly and it will take as long as it takes.
"We are a young and ambitious football club and managers will be cueing up to come and manage here."
And Winkelman is confident that another summer of change shouldn't damage his side's chances of another shot at promotion.
"Football is about constant change and Dons are always prepared to embrace that. Robby's departure is not what we planned or expected, but he moves on with our best wishes and I'm sure we'll be fine.
"We have a lot of excellent staff at this club and the team are in good hands."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Milton Keynes
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
