Sunderland face Oxford United in the FA Cup next month

Sunderland will come up against a familiar face when they travel to face Oxford United in the FA Cup fourth round next month, with former coach Mike Dodds having joined the Championship outfit’s backroom staff.

The 39-year-old spent four years at the Stadium of Light having originally arrived on Wearside in 2021, and was a key figure under several coaches, as well as spending a stint as interim head coach himself.

Partway through last season, he took the decision to leave Sunderland, assuming a role as Wycombe Wanderers boss with the club in the midst of a promotion battle in League One. Wanderers would ultimately finish the campaign in a play-off spot, but came unstuck in the semi-finals against Charlton Athletic, who would eventually go on to seal their own passage to the Championship at Wembley.

At the time, Dodds vowed to use the pain of Wycombe’s promotion setback as fuel heading into the new season, stating: “It is a harsh lesson in football, and for me, it is a quick lesson to learn for the responsibilities in this role. I told the players [at full time] that there was nothing I could say to change the mood. We will use this pain as fuel for next season, and we will come back a much better version as we want to get out of this league.”

The former Sunderland man was relieved of his duties in September, however, with the Chairboys 19th in the table at the time of his dismissal. A statement from Wycombe read: “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.”

But earlier this week, it was confirmed that Dodds has taken on a role in Matt Bloomfield’s staff at the Kassam Stadium, with the former Luton Town boss replacing Gary Rowett in the dugout earlier this month.

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What has been said about Mike Dodds’ appointment at Oxford United?

In an official statement, Oxford confirmed: “As Matt Bloomfield prepares to take charge of his first match as Oxford United Head Coach, the Club can confirm the backroom staff who will support him.

“The 41-year-old joined the club on Friday and observed from the stands as Craig Short, Lewis Price and Chris Hackett oversaw the FA Cup Third Round victory over MK Dons. All existing backroom staff will remain in place under Bloomfield, who has been joined at the Club by Mike Dodds and Ben Cirne. Dodds has been appointed Assistant Head Coach, bringing a wealth of coaching experience from roles at Birmingham City, Sunderland and, most recently, as Head Coach of Wycombe Wanderers. Dodds joins the club immediately.

“Cirne joins Oxford United as Coach Analyst, strengthening the club’s analysis department. He has previously worked alongside Bloomfield at Colchester United, Wycombe Wanderers, and Luton Town, and will join the club next week.”

For their part, Sunderland are set to face Oxford in the FA Cup on the weekend of Saturday, February 14th. The tie will be a repeat of the 1992 fourth round - a game that the Black Cats won 3-2 on their way to booking their place in the final at Wembley later in the year.

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