Russell Martin's time as manager of Milton Keynes Dons has come to an end, after accepting the Swansea City job.
The Dons announced the news with the following statement: "Milton Keynes Dons can confirm that Russell Martin has left the Football Club to take up the vacant Head Coach position at Swansea City, after the Welsh club met the buyout clause in his contract."
"Martin’s coaching team of Luke Williams, Dean Thornton and Matt Gill will also depart Stadium MK."
"It goes without saying that we are extremely disappointed by the timing of this departure."
"Nevertheless, the Club would like to thank Russell for his contribution and work during his 21 months in charge and wish him, and his team, all the best for the future."
The announcement brings to an end a tumultuous saga for the club, with a mixture of reports and rumours confusing the situation throughout the past week.
Martin himself appeared ready to remain at Stadium MK earlier in the week, but the lure of the Championship has proven too much for him to resist.
The timing of his departure is less than ideal for the Dons, who get their League One campaign underway this Saturday with a trip up to Bolton Wanderers.
Additionally, hopes were that the club would challenge for at least a place in the playoffs under Martin this season, and the sudden change in management could prove disruptive to those ambitions.
Chairman Pete Winkelman will need to work quickly to replace a manager that had given so many fans hope of positive times ahead, with his expansive style of football guiding the club to 13th in League One after finishing 19th the year before.
Some names have already emerged in the rumour mill as potential replacements for Martin, with Jody Morris, who had also reportedly interested Swansea, one of them.
