Ever since 30th May 2002, AFC Wimbledon have been England's favourite football club. The phoenix club built from the ashes of Wimbledon FC and in protest of the club's relocation to Milton Keynes, they represented the power of what fans can do. The fairytale was arguably completed when MK Dons were relegated from League One last season meaning AFC Wimbledon would be in a higher division than their arch rivals.
However, times can change quickly in football. AFC Wimbledon are now languishing in 23rd position in League One, seven points from safety. Neal Ardley, manager since 2012 who led the club to promotion in 2016, left South London to move to Nottingham to take charge of Notts County. It's fair to say Ardley was treading on very thin ice in his last few months as AFC manager, with fans incensed about his defensive style of play. Once he left, his replacement was not very clear.
AFC Wimbledon have had five permanent managers before the appointment of Wally Downes today. Two of them played for Wimbledon FC. Terry Eames from 1977-1980 and Neal Ardley from 1991-2002. It is especially clear from Wally Downes that the AFC Wimbledon managerial policy normally consists of someone who has ties to the former Wimbledon. Now, it is great that they want to keep that connection to Wimbledon FC, but it may be to the detriment of the new club.
Wally Downes, like two of his predecessors, played for Wimbledon FC (1979-88). This is his second managerial job but he hasn't managed in 14 years. He was sacked in 2004 as Brentford boss after 21 months in charge. It seems inconceivable to me that a man who has not be in the managerial game for 14 years can waltz into a job just because he played for Wimbledon FC.
One of the other candidates for the position was Lee Clark. Having not played for Wimbledon, he already found himself at a disadvantage. Clark has accumulated nine years managerial experience, his last job ending in October 2017 as four consecutive losses was enough for Bury to dismiss him from his duties. It seems very wise to me to have a manager with experience in the modern game as not being involved in a managerial role for 14 years surely means he is out of touch.
I stress that I do not wish Downes to do badly. I wish him the best of luck, I just view it as a poor judgement from the club. Having not managed for over a decade, it seems very strange to give him the job but, having established Wimbledon's managerial policy, it really isn't. Even though he has been a coach for many years after Brentford, the environment is just not the same as a manager.
But hey, at least he used to play for Wimbledon!
However, times can change quickly in football. AFC Wimbledon are now languishing in 23rd position in League One, seven points from safety. Neal Ardley, manager since 2012 who led the club to promotion in 2016, left South London to move to Nottingham to take charge of Notts County. It's fair to say Ardley was treading on very thin ice in his last few months as AFC manager, with fans incensed about his defensive style of play. Once he left, his replacement was not very clear.
AFC Wimbledon have had five permanent managers before the appointment of Wally Downes today. Two of them played for Wimbledon FC. Terry Eames from 1977-1980 and Neal Ardley from 1991-2002. It is especially clear from Wally Downes that the AFC Wimbledon managerial policy normally consists of someone who has ties to the former Wimbledon. Now, it is great that they want to keep that connection to Wimbledon FC, but it may be to the detriment of the new club.
Wally Downes, like two of his predecessors, played for Wimbledon FC (1979-88). This is his second managerial job but he hasn't managed in 14 years. He was sacked in 2004 as Brentford boss after 21 months in charge. It seems inconceivable to me that a man who has not be in the managerial game for 14 years can waltz into a job just because he played for Wimbledon FC.
One of the other candidates for the position was Lee Clark. Having not played for Wimbledon, he already found himself at a disadvantage. Clark has accumulated nine years managerial experience, his last job ending in October 2017 as four consecutive losses was enough for Bury to dismiss him from his duties. It seems very wise to me to have a manager with experience in the modern game as not being involved in a managerial role for 14 years surely means he is out of touch.
I stress that I do not wish Downes to do badly. I wish him the best of luck, I just view it as a poor judgement from the club. Having not managed for over a decade, it seems very strange to give him the job but, having established Wimbledon's managerial policy, it really isn't. Even though he has been a coach for many years after Brentford, the environment is just not the same as a manager.
But hey, at least he used to play for Wimbledon!
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