Graham Alexander, a beloved figure in the histories of Preston North End and Burnley, has once again found himself without a managerial role after being dismissed by Milton Keynes Dons.
It’s notable how many managers have emerged from the David Moyes era at PNE. Michael Appleton is at Charlton Athletic, Jon Macken is managing Witton Albion, David Healy is with Linfield, and Stephen Robinson is at St Mirren.
Meanwhile, Michael Jackson is coaching at Burnley, and Brian Barry-Murphy leads Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad. Moyes appears to have had a significant impact on these former PNE players, but another one of his protégés has lost his job in Graham Alexander’s case.
For anyone who followed PNE during the early-to-mid 2000s, Graham Alexander is undoubtedly considered a legendary figure. His enduring reputation, even after leaving PNE for Burnley, attests to the deep affection fans have for him.
Alexander made 400 appearances during his initial stint at PNE and returned for one final season in 2011, scoring a memorable goal with his last touch as a professional footballer, a moment cherished by North End supporters.
Alexander briefly co-managed PNE alongside David Unsworth that season, making it unsurprising that he ventured into management elsewhere. Over the years, Alexander has gained experience, with successful stints at Fleetwood Town, Scunthorpe United, and a regrettable departure from Salford City, according to Gary Neville.
He then guided Motherwell into the Europa Conference League qualifiers but left the club in July 2022, leading to a year-long hiatus before taking the helm at Milton Keynes Dons in May of this year. Collaborating with his long-time assistant and former PNE defender, Chris Lucketti, Alexander enjoyed a promising start with the League Two side, winning four of his first five games and earning the League Two Manager of the Month award.
However, things took a downturn afterward, as MK Dons failed to secure a win in their last eight games, enduring four defeats and four draws during this period. Alexander’s tenure came to an abrupt end following a 2-2 draw with Barrow on a Saturday, marking a disappointing chapter for MK Dons.
The club has been struggling since their League One playoff appearance in 2022, and this recent decision leaves them in a state of uncertainty once more. We can only hope to see Alexander and Lucketti finding success elsewhere, as their strong track record is likely to attract interest from other clubs.
Leave a Reply