Sunderland AFC, Bellingham factors show Wycombe Wanderers are looking long term | OneFootball

Wycombe Wanderers will be hopeful that new head coach Mike Dodds can replicate his success in developing young players.

Wycombe Wanderers finally announced their successor to Matt Bloomfield on Sunday, as Sunderland assistant coach Mike Dodds took over the vacancy at Adams Park.

It's the first full-time head coaching gig for the 38-year-old, following three stints as interim boss with the Wearside outfit. Dodds has been coaching since his teenage years, having obtained his UEFA B License whilst at college. He became an academy coach at Birmingham City in 2009, before being promoted to academy manager 11 years later.

During his stint at St Andrews, Dodds helped players such as Nathan Redmond, Demarai Gray, and Jude Bellingham. After moving to Sunderland in 2021, the coach continued to prove his reputation for developing youngsters, overseeing the emergence of Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham. In the interim, he also had multiple stints in charge of the Black Cats, which weren't overly successful.

Wycombe swooped to appoint Dodds following Bloomfield's departure for Luton Town in January. With the academy being reformed this season and a heavy focus on youth in the future, it's clear why the ex-Sunderland man was head-hunted for the role at Adams Park.

Dodds' incredible history of player development

As mentioned, Dodds has an impressive track record of helping young players develop into quality senior-level players. The 38-year-old has been an integral part of Sunderland's success this season behind the scenes. His relationship with his players was close, as striker, Wilson Isidor, sent a heartfelt message to his former coach after their big win over bitter rivals, Middlesbrough.

Another testament to the Wycombe boss' work over the years is the success of Jude Bellingham, whose meteoric rise has taken the world of football by storm. The Real Madrid star has credited Dodds with helping him develop as a player and person, which has certainly been a huge boost to his ever-growing reputation.

The ex-Sunderland man has joined the Chairboys, who are on an ambitious path to long-term success. Following the re-establishment of the academy in September 2024, the club's future is heavily focused on youth development. Given his excellent track record, Dodds' appointment could be perfect for the Buckinghamshire outfit's prospects of success in the future.

Wanderers also cited this as a contributing factor in the appointment of the ex-Birmingham academy manager. A statement on the club's official website read: "His track record in improving individual players [and] developing young talent was a key factor in our decision, as we believe this will be crucial to our long-term success."

Bellingham factor shows Wycombe looking long-term

Benji Walker (@benjiwalkerphoto)

With his excellent track record of developing young players on and off the pitch, it's clear to see why Wycombe have turned to Dodds in their pursuit of long-term success. When you look at the emergence of the Bellingham brothers, with Jude now playing for Real Madrid and Jobe linked with big-money moves to the Bundesliga, Wanderers will be hopeful their new boss can recreate these stories with their players.

Working with the likes of Richard Kone and Joe Low will be a tantalising prospect for the young coach, as these two players are already well on the way to a successful career. There are also plenty of other exciting prospects on the books who could flourish under Dodds, such as Alex Lowry, Declan Skura, and Jasper Pattenden.

The academy looks to be a massive part of Wycombe's future, with a category-four setup starting operation next season. The Chairboys made their first academy signings on Wednesday, which was a hugely exciting sign of the progress that's been made since Mikheil Lomtadze bought the club in the summer.

Whilst Dodds' main duties revolve around the first team, having someone with a reputation for helping youngsters integrate into senior football seamlessly would be a major bonus for a youth-orientated club such as Wycombe. With one of the world's best players as evidence of his abilities, Wanderers will be hoping for a long and successful partnership with their new boss.