Ex-Sunderland, Middlesbrough and West Ham man in 'advanced talks' with League One club

Stockdale joined Sunderland back in 2012 and worked with the likes of Kevin Ball, Gus Poyet, Sam Allardyce and Dick Advocaat during his tenure at the club. The coach also stepped up to take the first team on three occasions after managerial sackings in 2015, 2017 and 2018.

After leaving Sunderland in 2018 after the arrival of Stewart Donald and Charlie Methven, the 42-year-old worked under Paul Heckinbottom at Hibernian in Scotland. Stockdale also reunited with Allardyce at West Brom before taking his first steps into management with Rochdale.

However, Stockdale was dismissed in 2022 after Rochdale lost their opening four games this season, with the club rooted to the bottom of League Two. After that, Stockdale joined interim manager Andy Dawson at Hull City, where he has remained as a first-team coach.

Football Insider have today stated that League One club MK Dons are set to appoint Stockdale as assistant manager to Mark Jackson. The report also adds that the 43-year-old is in “advanced talks” with MK Dons and a “full agreement is close to being secured”.

MK Dons are currently 22nd in League One and candidates for relegation after only taking 22 points from 25 games so far this campaign.

Redcar-born Stockdale also enjoyed a 15-year playing career and featured for Middlesbrough, West Ham United, Hull City, Sheffield Wednesday and Grimsby Town and Darlington amongst others and played five times for the Scotland national team.