Ex-Don Magnay rejoins Williamson as first-team coach

Carl Magnay has reunited with Mike Williamson after agreeing to become First Team Coach at MK Dons.

The 35-year-old made one appearance on loan at Stadium MK in 2009 when he joined Roberto Di Matteo’s side from Chelsea, playing for only seven minutes against Cheltenham Town.

His playing career saw him run out for Grimsby Town, Hartlepool United, Spennymoor Town and Gateshead, where he ended his career, playing under Williamson in the latter stages of his career. But his playing days were cut short with a knee injury, and he turned his hand to coaching at the International Stadium, working under Williamson’s replacement Rob Elliot last season.

Now back at Stadium MK, 15 years after his first spell, Magnay said: “I'm delighted to be back and really looking forward to the challenge. It's a fantastic opportunity for me after finishing playing in October.

“With Mike and Ian leaving Gateshead I stepped in to the First Team Coach role there and worked with a great group of lads. It was a great learning curve and I really grew into confidence in the role.

“I'm working with people that I know really well and that's that's hugely important, to have an environment that you're happy working in.

“I really want to develop some strong relationships with the players, my style of coaching is really to get on a human level with each individual.”

Williamson said: "Carl is first and foremost a great human being and someone we're all really looking forward to working with. As a staff, we know him well from our time at Gateshead and feel he can add another dimension to our coaching this season.

“I'm really pleased to have him with us and excited to see what he can achieve with our players.”