Mike Williamson left MK Dons just a few days ago and since then the search for a new manager has been well underway.

But now, as the search continues, a shocking favourite has begun to lead the way. Currently Crawley Town manager Scott Lindsey.

But why would MK Dons want to appoint Lindsey? And why would Lindsey want to join MK Dons? We thought we would have a look and answer exactly that.

Scott Lindsey is now 2/5 to be the next MK Dons manager 👔#MKDons pic.twitter.com/xpbjFhDJ0V

— The Sack Race (@thesackrace) September 24, 2024

Who Is Scott Lindsey?

Scott Lindsey is the current manager of EFL League One side Crawley Town. But he is a very experienced manager in the lower divisions of England.

After a 23 year senior playing career Lindsey would join the Lincoln City coaching staff where he took charge of the club on a caretaker basis in 2010.

Between 2011 and 2019 he would take various coaching, assistant and under 18s roles before joining Chatham Town. This before being appointed the head coach of Swindon Town in June 2022.

Lindsey would go on to have a very successful period as head coach of the club but after some reported indifferences inside the club Lindsey would leave the club joining Crawley Town.

He would keep the Red Devils up in his opening season despite seeming destined for relegation. They finished 22nd which is their lowest finish since being relegated from League One in 2015.

However in his second season he would remarkably guide the club to promotion via the playoffs beating MK Dons in the semi finals and eventually Crewe Alexandra in the final.

Currently Lindsey has guided Crawley to an incredible start to life in League One. Though many backed them for relegation they have started the year off with impressive performances and ultimately seven points from six games.

January 2023:
- Joins Crawley Town with them in the relegation zone - keeps them up

August 2023:
- Starts first full season at Crawley whilst being tipped as favourites to finish dead bottom - gets Crawley promoted

August 2024:
- Wins first game in League One pic.twitter.com/7K966X1Sw9

— Football Park (@thefootballpark) August 10, 2024

Why Do MK Dons Want Scott Lindsey?

The answer to this question is pretty simple… Lindsey is a great manager and he knows how to get teams promoted.

MK Dons were relegated to League Two in 2023 in quite shocking circumstances considering the season before that they were battling for promotion. And after failing to gain promotion last season - at the hands of Lindsey’s Crawley Town as well - they will be desperate to go up. And soon.

Especially with new owners stepping through the door at the club just a few months ago.

Lindsey is a fantastic manager. He sets up his teams very well and knows how to win games and gain promotion - even against all odds as proven by Crawley Town’s promotion last season. Arguably Lindsey is too good for League Two football.

The real question is why wouldn’t MK Dons want Scott Lindsey?

In Scott Lindsey’s 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰, the @CrawleyTown manager presented a session that he has used to develop playing out from the back.

He also used training footage from one of his first-team sessions, to clearly show patterns used in build-up... 👨‍⚕️📹

— CV Academy (@CVAcademy) September 24, 2024

Why Would Scott Lindsey Leave Crawley Town For MK Dons?

As mentioned, Scott Lindsey is probably too good of a manager for League Two so why would he take the step down into a lower division?

Lindsey has proven over the years he loves a project. Taking the Crawley job in the first place was a step down and he managed to take them to promotion.

It is almost as if Lindsey likes the challenge of getting teams promoted - especially when they are at a low point.

Lindsey himself spoke about the vacancy at Stadium MK this week before Crawley’s game against Wrexham describing the position as an “interesting job” not ruling himself out of the race.

There is surely some intrigue there for him. He would thrive under the challenge of getting MK Dons back on track and eventually promoted back to League One if not higher.

There’s a project at MK Dons right now and it wouldn’t surprise me if that has piqued the interest of Lindsey.

Scott Lindsey

The absolute top choice if you want a coach who plays the style MK Dons want, but has also delivered results at this level

Would he drop down a division? Should he be aiming higher? Those are the questions that would prevent this. But he’s got to be top of their… pic.twitter.com/OzvIiyky6c

— tomhwilliams23 (@tomhwilliams23) September 23, 2024

Right now, Lindsey holds odds of 2/5 on Parimatch to take the job making him the favourite for the job.