MK Dons chairman Pete Winkelman has explained the club’s recruitment model in a recent interview on the club’s website.
Following the club’s relegation from League One, the 65-year-old explained how the Dons failed in their approach to recruiting the right players this season, and how Sporting Director Liam Sweeting is involved in the process.
Who Is Pete Winkelman?
Winkleman is the current chairman of MK Dons and played a key part in the club’s relocation away from Wimbledon FC. Acting as the lead man in the consortium that bought the club, Winkleman remains in a high position at Stadium MK.
How Does Their Recruitment Model Work?
In a process that involves finding the right players for the squad, the final decision is to lay with the manager or head coach in place. While the soon-to-be League Two club does how a sporting director in Liam Sweeting, it seems Sweeting’s job is identifying players from who the manager can pick.
MK Paid The Price?
The biggest issue MK had over the last season was failing to reinvest after the departure of League One Player of the Season, Scott Twine. Disappointing signings led to a lacklustre season which saw the Dons relegated on the final day.
They now pay the price for their poor recruitment and return to the fourth tier in English football for the first time in five years, without a permanent manager in place.
What’s Been Said:
Talking at an event on how MK handles its transfer business, Winkelman explained that the process is a team effort and that all parties need to improve.
“The thing with recruitment is that it’s a process and a team effort.
“A Sporting Director will identify players and the Manager will the choose from those players, based on who fits in their team. The final decision has and always will be with the Manager or Head Coach.
“Liam Sweeting has taken full accountability of his role in (the disappointment of this season) – he practically offered his resignation when he came to see me. But, Liam Sweeting is very competent at what he does and he has had some terrific windows for us.
“Ultimately, it all means we are not where we should be and we can’t change it. What I want to get across is the spirit that we all have and that the learning that we have made.
Writer’s View
Several reasons led to MK’s poor season, but what worries me is the layout of their recruitment model. While I agree the manager should have a say in the decisions with players, I feel it should end with the lead director.
Coaches have a lot of plates to handle with their job and their focus should be on their current squad. I think it extremely important both the manager and sporting director have a good relationship and see eye to eye, however, the scouting team spent more time understanding the players that they view suitable for them.
