Forgotten Newcastle star retires from playing aged 39 FOUR YEARS after starting management career having landed top job
EX-PREMIER LEAGUE star Mike Williamson has been appointed MK Dons boss.
The former Newcastle star has now officially retired from playing to focus on his career as a manager.
Williamson has spent the last four seasons in charge of Gateshead.
The 39-year-old was initially appointed as a player-manager but has only made a handful of appearances over recent campaigns.
Williamson guided Gateshead to promotion from the National League North two seasons ago and leaves them sitting sixth in the fifth tier.
He replaces the sacked Graham Alexander with the club 16th in League Two.
On his appointment, Williamson said: “It’s been a quick turnaround and it was a tough decision to leave Gateshead but when a club like this comes in, it’s a no brainer.
“We have a talented squad, with strength in depth, and we’ll come in and start getting to know the group.
“They’ve got to trust us and buy into what we stand for – we have a lot of ideas that we want to implement, but it will be one thing at a time. It is going to be an evolution.”
Club chairman Pete Winkelman added: “We believe we have found someone who is clearly aligned with what we want to see from an MK Dons team and I am very excited to welcome him.
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“Mike is a winner. He has achieved promotions throughout his playing career and already as a manager.”
Gateshead coaches Ian Watson and Chris Bell follow him to Stadium MK.
Williamson most notably played for Wycombe, Watford, Newcastle and Wolves during his career.
He was a regular for the Toon from 2010 to 2015, making 169 appearances.