Mike Dodds is no longer with Sunderland as he has officially taken up the managerial role at Wycombe Wanderers this week.
Having spent many years at Sunderland as a coach, and in two spells as caretaker manager, it’s safe to say that Mike Dodds leaves a pretty big hole in the club.
Regis Le Bris will now have to search for another coach to add to his backroom staff, and many of the players have lost an influential figure of support who has helped them become the team they are today.
But, as Dodds takes up this ‘incredible opportunity’, he will go with the backing and love of all involved at Sunderland, as the farewell message from the players clearly proves.
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Dan Neil speaks for the Sunderland squad in message to Mike Dodds
Sunderland captain, Dan Neil, became the voice for his teammates in sending well wishes Dodds’ way, with a statement shared with the club’s official website.
On behalf of the squad, Neil wrote: “We are really thankful for everything Doddsy has done since he came to the club. He got introduced into the first-team set up midway through the League One season and his development as a coach has mirrored the development of the football club over the last few years.
“He’s been through the high and lows. Especially getting promoted and getting into the Championship play-offs. He was a massive part of that. Everyone in the changing room has huge respect for him and he helped massively in every single game. He is going to be a massive miss, not only because he is a really good coach, but also a good person. He got on with everyone off the football pitch.”
On the future, Neil added: “It’s a good chance to go and show his capabilities as a Head Coach because we all believe that he can do that, and we’re all looking forward to seeing his progress.”
Dodds gave his first interview as Wycombe manager earlier this week, and he’s already made a great impression on the fans there, who are hoping he can steer them to promotion come the end of the season.
Luke O’Nien is ‘annoyed’ Wycombe have taken Mike Dodds away from him
However, Neil’s friendly sentiment was not echoed by everyone at Sunderland. Actually, veteran defender Luke O’Nien is a little bit ‘annoyed’ that Dodds has left the club, as he joked in a social media post via Wycombe’s Twitter/X.
O’Nien, who formerly played for Wycombe, was seemingly involved in a conversation with the club about what to expect from their new coach, and he said: “Congrats on appointing Mike Dodds… slightly annoyed at the same time that you’ve taken the best coach I’ve ever worked under away from me.
“But, also buzzing that you guys get to experience what I have over the last three years. A manager with an incredible football brain… I wouldn’t be competing at the top of the Championship without how he has developed me both on and off the pitch.”
Dodds’ first game in charge of the Chairboys will be a stern test in the FA Cup fourth round this weekend with a trip to Deepdale to face second tier opposition Preston North End.
By the time that game comes around, Sunderland players will be fresh off the back of their upcoming fixture against Watford, and will hopefully have three more points in the bag and be able to sit back and watch how Dodds gets on.