Wycombe Wanderers set to appoint Mike Dodds as their new manager
Wycombe Wanderers are set to appoint Sunderland coach Mike Dodds as their new manager.
The 38-year-old, who has been with the Black Cats since 2021, was reportedly present at the Chairboys’ most recent fixture, which was the 1-1 draw away at Cambridge United on February 1.
It is believed that Dodds’ confirmation will be announced 'soon', days after the bookmakers suspended betting on his name being linked to the vacant role at Adams Park.
The Free Press understands a move to South Buckinghamshire 'is done', and an announcement will be made 'soon'.
The League One promotion-pushers have been without a head coach following Matt Bloomfield’s sudden exit on January 14 to Luton Town, in which he took assistant manager Richard Thomas, goalkeeper coach Lee Harrison and analyst Ben Cirne to Kenilworth Road.
His first game in charge of the Chairboys, if appointed, will be away at Preston North End in the FA Cup on February 8 at Deepdale.
Development coach Sam Grace has looked after the last four matches, earning wins against Mansfield Town and Barnsley, as well as securing two draws versus Northampton Town and Cambridge United respectively.
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.
Across those three spells, he has won four of his 18 games in charge, drawing three and losing 11 times.
