AFC Wimbledon boss Glyn Hodges and assistant Nick Daws departed the club by mutual consent over the weekend following his side’s 2-0 defeat at home to MK Dons.

AFC Wimbledon announced the departure on Saturday (January 30) after two quickfire goals from Matt O’Riley and Matthew Sorinola in the second half.

Wimbledon are in the Sky Bet League One drop zone after suffering their fifth consecutive home defeat at the new Plough Lane.

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Dons chief executive Joe Palmer said on the club website: “It is with a genuinely heavy heart that I have to announce that we have parted company with Glyn.

“After a strong start to the season when the team was arguably overperforming, the recent run of results left us in a difficult position.

"We need to do everything to ensure our survival in League One and after a brief chat Glyn and I have agreed that a parting of the ways today is in the best interests of Wimbledon.

“I think it says it all about the man and his love for the club that we were able to come to this decision together.

"I want to place on record my thanks to Glyn and Nick for their efforts in my time here, and I wish them both every success in the future.

“Glyn’s service to Wimbledon goes back a long way and he leaves the club today with our thanks for all he has done for us over the years, as player, coach and manager.”

Hodges made over 200 league appearances as a midfielder for Wimbledon and took over from Wally Downes as manager in October 2019, securing League One safety last season before the campaign was ended prematurely.

Lead professional phase coach Mark Robinson has been placed in charge of first-team duties, the club said.

Points were few and far between for Hodges since the turn of the year but after Saturday’s match he admitted that their most recent loss was the first time he had seen his players adopt a defeatist attitude.

“Apologies to the fans because we know what this one means to them,” said Hodges.

“I thought we were good the way we came out of the blocks in the first half, and we looked like the side that would win.

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“I think if you came into the dressing room at half-time and told me we were going to come out and lose 2-0 tonight I’d have thought you were mad.

“I think it was one of those ones where whoever scored the first goal was going to win this one.

“To be fair that’s the first time I’ve actually seen their heads go down – after that second goal went in.

"They’re feeling sorry for themselves at the moment but we don’t need that, we need players to pick themselves up and work hard.

“We need to improve and we know that we are in trouble if we don’t. We know what the problems were and will have to fix it now.”

Dons Trust Board Co-Chair Jane Lonsdale added: “I have immense respect for Glyn and all he has achieved in the game, not least in his two spells with us. 

"As a player everyone tells me he was an absolute joy to watch; as a coach he played an integral role in the Great Escape; as manager he led us to safety in League One last year.

"I cannot thank him enough for all he has given to the club over the years.”