CONFIRMED: Wycombe announce ex-Sunderland and Birmingham coach as new manager
Wycombe Wanderers have confirmed Mike Dodds as their new manager on a three-year deal.
The 38-year-old joins the Chairboys following Matt Bloomfield’s exit to Luton Town nearly three weeks ago.
The former Sunderland and Birmingham City coach will take charge of the Adams Park side for the first time in the FA Cup fourth-round visit to Preston North End on February 8.
A statement on the club’s website reads: “Mike shares our vision of building the club through innovation and data, ensuring that we continue to evolve and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape.
“He also strongly aligns with our commitment to the academy being an integral part of our future strategy, and we are confident that his leadership will help us further strengthen our pathway from youth to first-team football.”
Dodds is part of a new wave of managers who have not played professional football but instead have focused on a career in coaching.
His journey began at age 18 with Coventry City before he joined Birmingham City five years later in 2009.
He spent 12 years with the Blues where he helped nurture the careers of many players, one being England and Real Madrid star, Jude Bellingham.
A move to Sunderland as the club’s head of individual player development followed in 2021 and in February 2022, he was appointed the first-team’s interim manager after the sacking of Lee Johnson, who has also been linked with a move to Wanderers in recent weeks.
Dodds was later named interim boss in December 2023 after Tony Mowbray was fired and once more two months later following Mick Beale’s short stint in charge.
The statement continues: "We will work closely with Mike to build the rest of the coaching team in due course, ensuring we have the right structure in place to support our ambitions.
"We look forward to introducing Mike to you all soon and embarking on this exciting new chapter together."
He is Wycombe's ninth permanent manager since the turn of the century.
Goalkeeper Nathan Bishop, who is currently on loan from Sunderland and has worked with Dodds, said: "A phenomenal coach and person.
"So happy for both the club and Mike!
"A top, top appointment."
