Wycombe move fast to land new manager after early links with Rangers flop and Celtic legend

Wycombe Wanderers have moved quickly to appoint Michael Duff as head coach following the dismissal of Mike Dodds - just hours after former Rangers boss Michael Beale was installed as the favourite for the job.

The Chairboys announced on Thursday morning that they had parted company with Dodds after only seven months in charge following a disappointing start to the season in League One, with first-team coach Pete Shuttleworth also departing.

And only a couple of hours later Wycombe revealed that former Cheltenham, Barnsley and Swansea boss Duff would be the new man in the hotseat.

Former Rangers boss Michael Beale is the early favourite to succeed Mike Dodds at Wycombe. | Getty Images

The 47-year-old was most recently in charge of Huddersfield but was dismissed in March as the Terriers faltered in the League One promotion race.

Wycombe, who have won only one of their opening eight league games and sit 19th in the table, face Northampton at Adams Park on Saturday.

Former Rangers boss Beale had emerged as the early favourite to replaced Dodds, who was in charge at Ibrox between November 2022 and October 2023. The 45-year-old, who has also managed at QPR and Sunderland in his career, has not been in the dugout since February 2024.

Another manager quoted by the bookies was current Dunfermline Athletic manager Neil Lennon. The 54-year-old Northern Irishman joined the Pars early this year and have started the current Championship campaign well under his stewardship, beating Arbroath 5-0 last weekend.

Wycombe move fast

But in a statement issued early on Thursday afternoon, Wycombe wrote: “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.”