Motherwell FC is today (Friday) delighted to confirm the appointment of Steve Robinson as the club’s Assistant Manager.
40-year old Robinson is a former Northern Irish International, but started his career with English giants Tottenham Hotspur back in the early 1990s.
He went on to play for the likes of Leyton Orient, Bournemouth, Preston North End, Bristol City and Luton Town over a fifteen-year period. He also collected several Youth International caps and seven senior caps for his country of birth.
When he retired from playing, he joined the Irish FA and was appointed as their Under 21s team manager on a short-term basis.
He was then confirmed as manager of the Under 19s and Under 17s teams. A re-jig of the underage coaching set-ups saw him take charge of the Under 21s too.
In early 2014 he stepped down from his role with the Under-21s to work within the IFA’s Elite Development Programme and has been credited with making significant improvements to that level of the game in Northern Ireland.
He retained his post as Under 17s manager and also took charge of the Under 16s Schoolboys side. In September 2014 he also joined-up with the senior set-up as coach, working with Michael O’Neil’s first-team squad; a role which he will continue whilst at Fir Park.
He was reportedly being chased by English Championship side Watford when former Dundee Utd midfielder Billy McKinlay briefly took the role at Vicarage Road, but nothing came of it and he’ll now team up with Ian Baraclough in ‘Well’s new-look management team.
[pullquote]It is a really exciting prospect and as soon as I spoke to Ian, I was absolutely desperate to get involved. I’ve only heard great things about the club. Obviously, the first challenge is to try and ensure we push ourselves up the table as quickly as possible and I will do everything I can to assist in that target.[/pullquote]
He will officially take up his new post this coming Monday (15th February).
Speaking to motherwellfc.co.uk, Robinson said: “I look forward to getting started and working with both the staff and players at Motherwell.
“It is a really exciting prospect and as soon as I spoke to Ian, I was absolutely desperate to get involved. I’ve only heard great things about the club. Obviously, the first challenge is to try and ensure we push ourselves up the table as quickly as possible and I will do everything I can to assist in that target.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Irish FA, thank them for all they have done for me and look forward to continuing to work with senior squad in the coming months and years.”
‘Well boss Ian Baraclough added: “Steve is a fantastic coach and we are absolutely delighted to have him on board.
“When I was between jobs I took it upon myself to watch as many different sessions as I could and was hugely impressed the times I watched Steve in action. He’s a very modern, forward-thinking coach and I am sure the lads will love working with him.
“I’ve also had some excellent feedback from a number of people in the game; he came very highly recommended from every single person I spoke with.
“Not only does he put on a great session, he is very tactically aware and very good at working with young players too, which is essential in the new model and refocused strategy we have at the club.
General Manager Alan Burrows commented: “We are really pleased to have someone of Steve’s talent and reputation on board. It’s certainly an exciting time at the football club.
“I would like to thank the Northern Irish FA, Head Coach Michael O’Neil and CEO Patrick Nelson in particular, for their professionalism, support and cooperation during this process.
“We have long had an affinity with the IFA with the former players, staff and current Youth players and are pleased to see that continue now through Steve’s appointment.”