Ex-Blues full-back and academy coach David Wright has become the latest appointment with Town connections to join new head coach Liam Manning’s staff at MK Dons, who visit Portman Road on Saturday.

Wright has moved to Stadium MK from Norwich City, where he was their U23s coach.

The 41-year-old will be assistant first-team coach, another ex-Town academy man Chris Hogg having been named first-team coach at the end of last week.

Prior to his spell with the Canaries, Wright was a member of the Portman Road squad between 2007 and 2010 and worked at the academy towards the end of his playing career and after he had hung up his boots before moving on to Colchester, Maldon & Tiptree, where he managed for a spell, and then Norwich.

“I’m really looking forward to this opportunity to work with Liam and [first-team coach] Chris [Hogg] at this fantastic football club,” he told the official MK website.

“We’ve all known each other a long time from our days at Ipswich Town - we had a great relationship back then and we’ve kept in touch ever since.

“We all see the game the same way, and off the pitch our values match as well, so when the chance arose to reunite with them, and also for me to be able to work at this stadium for a club that is moving forwards, it was an easy decision.”

Head coach Manning added: “I go back some time with David from our time together coaching at Ipswich Town.

“His values align with me and Chris. First and foremost, he’s trustworthy, open and honest but he’s also somebody who analyses the game and looks to improve those around him.

“As well as that he has terrific knowledge of the EFL from his experiences as a player, where he played in every division and enjoyed promotions. He is certainly a positive addition to the football club.”

Sporting director Liam Sweeting said: “We are delighted to welcome David to MK Dons. He joins from a highly-quality club in Norwich City and with a fantastic reputation for developing players.

“What’s more, he has a wealth of EFL experience from his time as a player but also as an assistant with Colchester United, and already has a fantastic working relationship with Liam Manning and Chris Hogg from their time together at Ipswich Town.”

Photo: Action Images

Suffolkboy added 09:48 - Aug 19 Not much to add to the glowing personal attributes mentioned in this report . As a player and ITFC man he embodied every bit of the thoughtfulness and clarity of thought needed ,and STILL need ! Good man , prosper and be happy ! COYB
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itfcserbia added 10:04 - Aug 19 Wow, I'm starting to think MK Dons might have a better group of staff now than we do. Will be a tough game.
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MaySixth added 10:09 - Aug 19 Best of luck from this Sunday
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Wallingford_Boy added 10:11 - Aug 19 VERY decent coaching staff at MK Dons now. Slightly jealous!
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Monkey_Blue added 10:25 - Aug 19 Always liked wright as a player even in his Crewe days. Was someone I always thought of as an intelligent player. I guess I'll be keeping an eye out for MK Dons results this season…. As long as they don't beat us I'll be wishing them luck.
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Sharkey added 10:55 - Aug 19 The paragraph beginning ‘prior to his spell...' is very confusing, but as I remember it, for a while he was playing regularly for Colchester while also still coaching at the Town academy,( before eventually switching to the U's academy).
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blueboy1981 added 12:09 - Aug 19 A very good player and professional David Wright. It seems our own recruitment is complete, or thereabouts, now it's over to the Manager, Players, and Coaching Staff to prove it wasn't Liam Richardson behind the Managers previous success's.
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Len_Brennan added 13:34 - Aug 19 " Wright was a member of the Portman Road squad between 2007 and 2010" - I can't believe we've gone 11 years without a proper defensively capable right back.
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istanblue added 18:27 - Aug 19 They have coaches that have shown an interest in coaching for many years. We have a coaching staff that includes a former baker and kitman, and a guy who has yet to even earn a coaching badge. Utter state.
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budgieplucker added 19:02 - Aug 19 Will be watching the progress of these 3 with great interest. Liam has done extraordinarily well to impress the Man City Owners with his stints first with Man City young players and then on to New York and Belgium. Chris Hogg always looked as if he was going to be a good up and coming coach and pinched from us by Newcastle after being pushed back into our U23's having been given a role on the fringe of the first team. Expect he gets a few tips from his father in law George B, as well. Truly want Cook to succeed but if he moves on in a year or so for whatever reason then these boys could be a good option for plan b or chapter 2.

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