Intense, hectic and completely unique - Martin's first year in charge of MK Dons

It has been a memorable year - perhaps not for the right reasons - for everyone, but the last 12 months have been a rollercoaster for Russell Martin.

Tuesday marked one year in Stadium MK's managerial hotseat, having taken over from Paul Tisdale a day after a 3-1 home defeat to Tranmere Rovers.

Since then, Martin has had to guide MK Dons out of the relegation zone, through a pandemic shutdown in the game, a squad rebuild, high profile player departures and a rejuvenation in style to have his side playing a brand of football more akin to what his paymasters want.

It has not been an easy job either, nor does it appear to be getting any easier for him a year down the line. Picking up a side lacking form, consistency and direction, Martin's team began to pull in enough results to edge themselves gradually to safety before the curtailment in March confirmed their League One stay. This season has not brought about as many good results as he would have liked though.

Making no bones about hanging up his boots when the announcement was made on November 3, 2019, Martin said he's had no regrets in ending his playing career, nor going from player to manager in a dressing room he knew well, and feels from top to bottom the club is in a better place than it was when he took over.

"I've not missed playing, which tells you how I feel about the role," he said. "I've loved it. It has been intense, hectic, and a completely unique period in my life with the virus, but I've tried to use it to my advantage.

"We've tweaked the way we play a lot, but I feel the club is in a better position now, in terms of identity. The squad is better, I think we've done good business to help the club financially.

"I want more points on the board, of course, but it's a work in progress. I'm more grateful than ever and more humbled by the support. They know it might take longer than they want but I want to continue to build something for the club. We have to justify the process.

"The highlight for me is the staff and the people I work with. Going from being a player to being a manager at the same club is not easy, and it took time to adjust to it, but the way everyone has adjusted is incredible and everyone connected to the culture of it is unbelievable.

"It makes me desperate to do well. It's a team I'd have loved to have played in. I hope we can make it work and be a success. It has been a long year, but I feel like we're getting there.

"We've come a long way and hopefully we'll continue to do it."