Mike Dodds has left Sunderland and taken on his first job as a manager, landing the Wycombe Wanderers vacancy.
Formerly Sunderland assistant first-team coach, and on three occasions interim manager, Mike Dodds has left the Stadium of Light with the best wishes of Black Cats fans.
The 38-year-old managed Sunderland in the second half of the 2023/24 season. Dodds faced criticism from Sunderland fans but he kept the Black Cats in the Championship, whilst also helping to develop a number of the club’s younger players.
Now, he’s spoken out for the first time as Wycombe Wanderers manager.
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Wycombe Wanderers fans all in agreement about Mike Dodds
Dodds gave his first interview as Wycombe Wanderers manager on Wednesday. He spoke at length about a number of things, and Chairboys fans were impressed.
In particular, they were impressed with Dodds’ praise for his predecessors at the Adams Park Stadium; Gareth Ainsworth and Matt Bloomfield, and recent interim manager Sam Grace.
One Wycombe fan posted on X: “To realise the good that Sam and Matt have done this season it’s really encouraging to hear he’s not planning on changing major things.”
Another added: “First impressions are lasting impressions and I really like him,” as this fan posted: “Absolute love this! Sticking to what we have known all season.”
A similar comment read: “An excellent first interview, really encouraging to hear some of these key messages and recognising the good work by all before.”
Meanwhile, this Wycombe fan wrote: “Really positive. Glad he’s here to continue with the Wycombe Way!”
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Mike Dodds’ manager record with Sunderland in 2023/24
Dodds has worked under a variety of managers at Sunderland, good and bad. But having worked under some really experienced names like Tony Mowbray and Alex Neil, he’s well prepared for his first gig as a manager.
And his efforts with Sunderland last season will also serve him well in this new role. It was a tough period for him and the club with Sunderland winning just two of his 13 games as interim manager last time round, losing eight.
As things stand, Wycombe sit in 2nd place of the League One table. Dodds’ first game in charge is an FA Cup clash away at Preston on Saturday.