MK Dons have announced a reshuffle of their coaching staff, with former players Darren Potter and Dean Lewington joining the set-up and former caretaker boss Ben Gladwin among the departures.
Potter will join the Dons’ set-up as a First Team Coach, while Lewington will be an Individual Development Coach as part of a Development Squad the club have set up for the 2025/26 season.
Meanwhile, Gladwin will be leaving MK Dons, along with fellow First Team Coach Jamie Day and Goalkeeper Coach Steve Hale.
The revisions at Stadium MK are part of the changes following the recent appointment of Paul Warne, who took over as the Dons’ Head Coach last month.
Confirmation of Lewington’s extended stay in Milton Keynes had come last Friday, during an event celebrating Lewington’s career at Stadium MK. The Dons’ captain is retiring from playing at the end of this season after a career that lasted for over 20 years and saw him make over 900 competitive appearances for the club.
Lewington’s role will see him overlook a new part of the Dons’ structure called the Development Squad. MK Dons said the intent of this new innovation is that this will be mainly comprised of young talent, including first-year professionals, as well as Scholars, to develop young Dons in their transition to senior football.
MK Dons’ Sporting Director Liam Sweeting said Lewington represented an excellent option to have for the new role.
He said, “There are not many, if any, that can match Lewie’s playing experience and knowledge of the game over an outstanding 949 competitive career appearances. We have been so fortunate to lean on Dean’s wisdom on the pitch, but his new career path provides an excellent chance to pass on some of his experience to those aspiring to reach the senior level of football, and for Dean to enter the next chapter of his career as a coach.”
The Dons stated that Lewington’s role will see him support a group of young players to maximise their opportunities in a senior environment.
One of Lewington’s former teammates is set to return to MK in the form of Potter, who played for MK Dons between 2011 and 2017. The former midfielder joins after time as a youth team coach with Championship side Stoke City.
Potter told the official MK Dons website of his excitement to move to the club. He also said of his excitement to work alongside Warne, who managed him at Rotherham United, and with his assistant Richie Barker, who had previously been Karl Robinson’s assistant at MK Dons.
He said, “I’m absolutely delighted to be here! I’m quite familiar with the surroundings and the facilities already, which always helps. I just can’t wait to meet all the players in pre-season and get straight to work.
“I’ve played under Paul Warne before, and I loved my time working with him; he’s an excellent coach, and I’m thrilled to be working with him and Richie at Stadium MK. We’re all really looking forward to the future here.”
As for departures, one of those confirmed is Gladwin, who had managed 9 games for MK Dons as caretaker manager following the departure of Scott Lindsey in March.
Sweeting voiced his appreciation of Gladwin for taking up the stint at MK Dons at short notice.
He said, “I cannot express enough my thanks to Ben Gladwin this season. When we asked Ben to step up and lead the team, he showed remarkable leadership in what was a difficult moment for the group. His perseverance and calmness served us very well and helped secure two vital wins during his time in charge.
“Ben will undoubtedly be a top Head Coach in the very near future. The way he thinks about the game and the application of his knowledge has been very impressive, even in difficult moments.”
First Team coach Day and Goalkeeper coach Hale will also make their departures, with both having arrived as part of Lindsey’s coaching staff set-up in September and stayed on with Gladwin and then Warne.