AFC Wimbledon boss search latest – and analysis of where it all went wrong for Glyn Hodges

BY DANIEL MARSH AND RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

AFC Wimbledon’s 2-0 loss at the hands of Milton Keynes last weekend was probably just about as rotten a day as their fans could experience.

Defeat, with all that bitter history between the two clubs, is always going to hurt. But the departure of club favourite Glyn Hodges will have made it hurt that much more.

Even though some of the fanbase were growing restless after a horrific run of form, there won’t be a single Wimbledon fan who will have gained any satisfaction from seeing Hodges and his assistant Nicky Daws depart Plough Lane.

But the writing had been on the wall.

Defeat last weekend was the final straw, but it had nothing to do with the opposition on the day. The clock had been ticking for Hodges, with chief executive Joe Palmer’s video update on the club’s website signalling the start of a big week for the Dons manager.

Hodges knew that results had to improve. But the trio of games against Crewe, Doncaster and MK only provided a single point – which was not enough to prevent a change from being made. Not many managers survive a run of taking just two points from 33.

Just a couple of months ago under Hodges, this Wimbledon team had made their best ever start to a season at this level. The drop off in the last couple of months has been alarming.

Hodges’ final match was the embodiment of the Dons season so far – a promising and gutsy first-half showing that ultimately faded with a bit of a whimper.

But where did it all go so wrong?

The 5-3-2 set-up has worked so efficiently for the Dons since it was adopted in the 2018-19 campaign. It’s a system which primarily has defensive stability in mind – something which has been non-existent for the majority of this campaign. Wimbledon have paid the price time and time again for sloppy defensive errors. It becomes hard to justify having that extra defensive body when you seemingly have to outscore teams on a weekly basis to get anything from games.

Injuries didn’t help matters for Hodges. It made it difficult for a first-choice trio to nail down those defensive slots. Even if all Wimbledon’s defenders were fit, you’d probably struggle to say with any certainty just who their first-choices would be.

But overall, it had the feel of a system which had stagnated and run its course. The wing-back role, which made such an impact in the ‘Great Escape’ campaign, had been diluted. It felt as though they had stopped pushing on, restricting Wimbledon with the ball. It was all a bit one-dimensional.

The horrific run of form has seen the Dons slide into the League One relegation zone. That puts extra pressure on the Wimbledon hierarchy to get this next appointment right – they can ill afford to start next season back at Plough Lane in the fourth tier of English football.

It’s going to be a challenge for whoever gets the nod, with the circumstances far from ideal and games running out as we approach the final third of the season.

Palmer’s decision to give Hodges another week to turn things around was probably correct when you consider this was Hodges’ first really bad spell in charge.

But the consequence of this now means that a new manager has no chance to bring in their own signings.

Corie Andrews was at Plough Lane on Saturday after he became their fourth January addition – Wimbledon using up their remaining player budget on the former Crystal Palace striker.

Wimbledon’s precarious plight has not deterred interest in the manager’s position.

Our website reported that Jason Euell has put himself forward. Charlton’s development coach was interviewed for the role in 2018 before Wally Downes’ appointment.

The 43-year-old played just shy of 200 games for the Dons in two spells – the latter before he hung up his boots. He became Charlton’s record signing when he made the move across South London in 2001 for £4.75million.

Former Millwall midfielder Steven Reid, a first-team coach at Nottingham Forest, is another live contender. The 39-year-old, from Kingston, also had a brief spell in the backroom team with Wimbledon in 2018.

The Cowley brothers – Danny and Nicky – would be a popular appointment with the club’s fanbase.

They have already had success at unfashionable Lincoln City. The duo were sacked by Huddersfield Town in July – 10 months into three-year contracts.

Danny Cowley was on Wimbledon’s books as a youngster – but whether he can be tempted to take on the role at a club which could be in League Two in a few months remains to be seen.

The pair’s experience would be a welcome boost for a young squad which looks completely devoid of any confidence at present.

Former Charlton manager Chris Powell was odds-on earlier in the week. But the Tooting-raised former England international, while flattered by the link – is happy as head of coaching at his boyhood club Tottenham Hotspur. Others can also be dismissed.

The suggestion that Chelsea Women’s Emma Hayes was in the mix was wide of the mark.

The Blues boss said: “It’s an insult that we talk about women’s football being a step down, with the dedication and the commitment and the quality they have.”

Wimbledon-born Alan Pardew also cooled talk earlier in the week.

“I love Wimbledon, I had a property in Plough Lane before I turned pro,” he told the South London Press. “Terry Phelan bought it off me! Currently I am technical director at CSKA Sofia and we are going well.

“So this time not for me..but one day maybe.”

Promoting from within was what gave Hodges his spell in charge, and it wouldn’t be beyond the realms of possibility for it to happen again.

Mark Robinson oversaw the Dons 3-1 loss at Oxford in the EFL Trophy, and continues in the dugout for tomorrow’s crunch trip to Wigan.

Robinson knows the squad inside out after a 17-year spell at the club, and is highly thought of after impressive work in the youth ranks.

Interviews are scheduled to begin for the role next week.

“The club is proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcomes all applications irrespective of race, gender and age,” said AFC Wimbledon in a statement on their website.

“Indeed, a considerable number of applications have already been received, many from respected managers with immense experience in the game. Once these applications have been considered, the club will compile a shortlist and then begin an interview process before making an appointment.

“Until then, AFC Wimbledon will respect the confidentiality of all applicants and the integrity of our selection process. No further comment will be made until a decision has been made and the new manager is officially confirmed.”