Former MK Dons head coach Russell Martin has admitted he made a mistake by taking charge of his final game for the club five years ago. The now-Leicester City manager, who left for Swansea City in 2021, will return to Stadium MK this Saturday.
Martin's departure was messy. An official approach from Swansea was lodged on the morning of a League Cup tie against Bournemouth at Dean Court, which marked the start of the 2021/22 season. Rumours had swirled for a week, but Martin still led the team that day. Travelling supporters were angry, and he left for Wales immediately after the match. He has been disliked by a section of the fanbase ever since.
Why did Russell Martin leave MK Dons?
Martin was a former Scottish international handed his first managerial role by MK Dons. He turned down other offers before Swansea's approach, believing in the project at the club. He stated that Swansea were one of the only clubs that could have convinced him to leave at that time. The faith and trust shown in him by the club is something for which he remains grateful. "I loved it there, I love that place. I loved Pete, I loved Andrew Cullen," Martin said, referencing key figures at the club.
What does Martin say about his exit now?
Looking back, the manager concedes the circumstances were muddied. "I don’t know how they feel about me, because my exit was difficult," Martin admitted. He called his last game in charge a mistake and said it was not a nice experience. Despite the acrimonious end, he holds MK Dons close to his heart. His children have fond memories of their time associated with the club but have not been back since he departed.
What is the current context for MK Dons?
The club Martin returns to face is in a strong position. They finished second in England League Two last season with 86 points from 46 games, recording 24 wins, 14 draws, and 8 losses. Their recent form was solid, ending the campaign with a sequence of DWWWD. They scored 86 goals and conceded 45, giving them a healthy +41 goal difference. You can review the full season statistics on our stats page.
What happens next for MK Dons?
MK Dons begin the new season just one point behind leaders Bromley in the early title race. Their next fixture is a huge home clash against those same Bromley side on September 26th, a match that could have significant implications. Fans can track the evolving league picture on our standings page. The visit of Martin's Leicester will be a notable early-season test, stirring memories of a past era as the club focuses on its present promotion ambitions.
