Next MK Dons manager: Four former Bristol Rovers men tipped for League One job

Bristol Rovers' EFL Trophy opponents MK Dons have sacked their manager Liam Manning and his coaching staff. The Gas are due to host the Dons at the Memorial Stadium on Tuesday evening, but Manning will not be in the dugout.

Manning along with his assistant Chris Hogg, coaches David Wright and goalkeeping coach Darren Smith, were all relieved of their duties. Fleetwood Town inflicted a 2-1 defeat on Saturday, leaving them second from bottom in the league, a far cry from challenging promotion last season.

Dean Lewington is to take charge of the clash with the Gas, having served the club since before and after their re-brand from Wimbledon. Liam Sweeting, the technical director already has targets in mind after parting company with Manning, but there is no specific time frame as to who could take over.

The current favourite for the post is former Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson. Ferguson has been out of work since being sacked by the Posh in March, later replaced by Grant McCann. Leam Richardson, recently sacked by Wigan Athletic and succeeded by former Celtic, Liverpool and Manchester City defender Kolo Toure, is also a contender.

As for those with former Bristol Rovers links, you have to go down the mid-way point of the list until someone appears. Paul Tisdale is ranked as an outsider for the post. Tisdale has already been in the hot seat at Buckinghamshire before. He manage them for just over a year, guiding them to promotion from League Two. The 49-year-old has been out of work since being sacked by Stevenage towards the end of last season.

Former Gas defender Tony Pulis - who made 130 appearances in between two spells with the club is also on the list but hasn't been in management for over two years. Pulis now 64-years-old and was sacked by Sheffield Wednesday after just ten games in charge in November 2020.

Further on down the list, Joey Barton is surprisingly named on the list. Barton has four years on his contract at the Memorial Stadium and is unlikely to give up his role, given how the 40-year-old has rejuvenated the club and has a positive relationship with owner Wael al-Qadi.

Darrell Clarke, who Bristol Rovers just beat on the weekend, is the last of any former Rovers names linked publicly with the post. Clarke is in charge of Port Vale, who are ahead of MK Dons in the table.

Next MK Dons manager (as per 10:46 on BetVictor)

Darren Ferguson - 4/1

Leam Richardson - 8/1

Marc Bircham - 10/1

Steve Morison 12/1

Kenny Jackett - 12/1

Dean Holden - 12/1

Brian Barry-Murphy - 12/1

Sean Dyche - 16/1

Lee Bowyer - 16/1

Paul Tisdale - 20/1

Tony Pulis - 25/1

Joey Barton - 25/1

Darrell Clarke - 25/1