Pete Winkelman has said goodbye to MK Dons in an interview where new chairman Fahad Al Ghanim has laid out plans after buying the club.
The two made statements on the day when it was confirmed that a Kuwait-based consortium has purchased Milton Keynes Football Club and the greater Stadium MK group.
The takeover, which is the first since MK Dons were founded in 2004, was announced on Friday (09/08) the day before the first game of the new season.
In a statement on the MK Dons website, Winkelman said he felt the time was right to pass the club on and that he was convinced Al Ghanim was the right person to take the club forward after spending time with him in the past year. He also paid tribute to staff he has worked with in his time with the club.
He said, “MK Dons are 20 years old this year and throughout that time we’ve been on a rollercoaster of highs and lows that we have all come through together.
“From winning the League Two and EFL Trophy double in 2008 and promotion to the Championship in 2015, to developing the most successful hotel and events business in the region, we have been able to bring some unforgettable experiences to Stadium MK and Milton Keynes.
“Equally, we have faced difficulties navigating global events such as the financial crash in 2008 and, more recently, the Covid pandemic, where we not only survived but were able to host the first live sporting events in the country.
“However, what has become clear to me in recent years is that while I am so proud of Stadium MK and the sustainable business we’ve created, it can only support the development of the Football Club to a certain level, without separate and significant investment.
“Over the last year, I have been able to spend time with Fahad and he has convinced me that he brings the passion, determination and ambition to see the club participate at the highest level and has the resources to help it do so.
“It is, therefore, time for me to step aside and put the custodianship of the club and the wider business into new hands.
“There are so many people to thank who have shared this journey, supporters, managers, players, and of course all our incredible staff. I’m also hugely thankful to all our brilliant club partners and sponsors for their unwavering support over the years.
“Finally, I would also like to sincerely thank my family for giving me the strength to lead the club for more than two decades. It has been a joy and an honour to be part of the unrelenting effort that created both MK Dons and Stadium MK and I step away reassured this legacy will continue to contribute to our wonderful City of Milton Keynes for the foreseeable future.
“I’m sure I’ll see you at a game soon. Come on you MK Dons!”
The club’s new Chairman Fahad Al Ghanim made his own statement outlining plans going forward, and that he was aiming to help the club build on it’s current position.
He said, “As Chairman of the group and on behalf of Deputy Chairman Hamad Almarzouq, it is with immense pride that I can now introduce myself as the new Chairman of Milton Keynes Dons football club and the wider Stadium MK group following my acquisition of the business from Pete Winkelman.
“I know this will come as a surprise to many of you and represents a great change as Pete has led MK Dons since the club’s inception 20 years ago.
“Let me be the first to reassure you that my ambition is to build on the fantastic foundations already here in Milton Keynes, and to take MK Dons to the next level, both on the pitch and off it.
“You will I’m sure have many questions about what will change at MK Dons, and the first thing to tell you is that nothing will change in the short term, no one will be made redundant, and the structure of the business will fundamentally remain the same. Our first focus will be on strengthening the first team squad to give the club the best chance of promotion this season.
“I fully believe the team are in a great place, I’m not looking to disrupt the fantastic work done over the summer, if anything, I want to add to it.
“Over the coming months, there’ll be a chance to assess the club and its functions, before making additions where necessary to help the hard-working and dedicated staff already in place at Stadium MK.
“To the MK Dons supporters, who I look forward to meeting very soon, I know this new era will represent change, but it can only be successful with your support, so I ask all of you to stand behind the club as we enter an exciting new season this weekend!
“Finally, I would like to sincerely thank Pete Winkelman and his senior staff at Stadium MK for all their help over the last few months, and for the dignity with which they’ve represented themselves and the Milton Keynes Dons Football Club. Pete and his team have achieved much in Milton Keynes and I’m extremely grateful for the trust they’ve placed in me to continue their work.
“I’m excited to discuss further how we can shape our plans for the club, city and community, but in the meantime, I look forward to being at Stadium MK for the beginning of the season on Saturday.
“Best wishes, and come on you MK Dons!”