Wycombe confirm the appointment of new head coach Michael Duff after sacking Mike Dodds who spent seven months in charge.
The Chairboys have five defeats, two draws and one win from eight league games, leaving them sitting 19th in the League One table.
With Dodds at the helm, Wycombe picked up just nine wins in 31 games across all competitions.
The 39 year old, who replaced Matt Bloomfield in January, led Wycombe to the play-offs last season but lost in the semi-finals.
And since then he couldn’t turn the form around, the new season starting poorly and Dodds’ last game in charge was a 2-1 defeat to lowly Peterborough United.
Wycombe Wanderers have today parted company with Head Coach Mike Dodds and First-Team Coach Pete Shuttleworth.
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) September 18, 2025
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Duff as the club’s new Head Coach.
Welcome to Wycombe, Michael! pic.twitter.com/bQ02YtUPzf
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) September 18, 2025
CLUB STATEMENT:
Wycombe Wanderers have today parted company with Head Coach Mike Dodds and First-Team Coach Pete Shuttleworth.
The board has reluctantly taken this decision, and the club would like to place on record its gratitude to Mike and Pete for their hard work and efforts during their time with Wycombe Wanderers, and wish them every success for the future.
Wycombe Wanderers are delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Duff as the club’s new Head Coach.
The 47-year-old arrives at Adams Park with pedigree of winning promotion in his first management position with Cheltenham Town and leading Barnsley and Huddersfield Town into promotion battles in League One, as well as working in the Championship with Swansea City.
Following a successful playing career at every level from National League South to the Premier League, Duff also spent time coaching in Burnley’s youth setup, working with their under-18s and becoming Head Coach of their under-23s before embarking on a new challenge with Cheltenham in 2018, achieving their highest ever Football League finish.
Everyone at Wycombe Wanderers would like to welcome Michael to the club and look forward to working with him to support the club’s goals of competing at the highest level possible in this league and beyond.
A winner. And now a Wanderer.
Let’s get to work! 💪 pic.twitter.com/GLzd4jXcnZ
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) September 18, 2025
Dodds said after defeat to Peterborough, per Bucks Free Press: “I have told the players we have lost five times now [in the league this season from eight games] and each one is by fine margins.
“We can’t keep going into the dressing room saying we did this well and that well, when we lose by a goal.
“The first goal was a brilliant strike from 35 yards, but we could have done better to have stopped it, and the second goal is a basic cross in the box, it has first contact, then it’s a second contact finish.
“There is an element where you can’t legislate for those types of things when you stand on the touch line as we found ourselves 2-0 down.
“We can sit here and say the second half was better, but the reality is that we need to be more consistent.
“We didn’t take our chances in the second half.
“We didn’t have enough control in the first half, and we didn’t defend the two moments in the first half well enough.
“At the moment, we have to walk the ball into the back of the net, but the bottom line is that they took our chances, and we didn’t.
“We have to do some work on how we defend the box.
“We can’t have all the bits in between and defend like that, as we need to take our chances.
“There were improvements and there were moments when we regressed, but I wouldn’t say we regressed for 90 minutes.
“Overall, I’m really disappointed with the first half; the second half was better, but we gave ourselves a mountain to climb.”
Here’s how fans reacted as Wycombe confirm the appointment of a new head coach after sacking Mike Dodds…
@WycombeDJ: Well. Im not in love with it, but not a terrible choice either. Good experience with Barnsley, Swansea and Huddersfield, interestingly played a 5-2-1-2 or 5-3-2 with Huddersfield, but used a 4-2-3-1 at Swansea. Some tactical flexibility there.
@clifty04: Think this would be a good appointment. Excellent job at Chelt & Barnsley. Step up at Swans but probs sacked early & although Hudds should’ve done better last year their injury list was mental. More experienced & feel he won’t just always agree with Rice like Dodds probs did.
@bluewhitewall: Interesting appointment, definitely a lot worse out there but not the best. He has had a mixed career so far but definitely got more experience than the last bloke.
@Tjw1973: At least they’ll be able use all the same kit, same initials MD 😂
@Jessop217: I liked Duff at #htafc and think had he had this window he’d of succeeded. Brutally Unlucky with injuries. Hope he does well for you (but not against us)
@apcwwfc: Sad for a really nice guy but the right decision unfortunately. Massive respect to those involved who have recognised the error and dealt with it rather than letting it drag on for another 10 games.
@stevedarney: A genuinely decent bloke and clearly a good coach and actually you could see he gave it his all and it meant a lot but sometimes things just don’t click. I wish him well, but time for fresh ideas and a different approach. Let’s hope the next gaffer doesn’t get such a hard time.
@Ben_stenner15: Right call unfortunately. Was always open and honest and but just never worked out on the pitch.
@UKLondonTexan: I so wanted Doddsiola football to work, but it never really happened. So relieved we have made a decision. All the best for the future Mike 👍
@Nothing_But_T: Sad for Mike as he’s an excellent person but it just wasn’t working and didn’t look likely to. I wish him the best of luck for the future. I hope now the powers that be recognise that the next man needs to be more experienced and play a much more positive style of football #COYB
@milliethefish: Right decision but I do feel bad for Dodds. He seems like a thoroughly decent man who was set up to fail. Wishing him nothing but the best for the future and hope we get someone experienced to turn this season round
@FEFLTips: That was quick! Love this, always wanted him as the Ainsworth replacement when there were rumours of him leaving years ago. Welcome, Michael 🤝 #Chairboys | #FEFL
@WardRubin06: This will either go pretty well or god awful. No plan B feel sort a man. He is one of a few managers at this level who’s been pretty found out. #htafc #chairboys
@JCinhisworld: A decent guy but it was obvious by the end of last season that he wasn’t going to move forward with the team. Good luck to him and I hope the Board finds the right guy now to take us back to what makes the #Chairboys such a great team.