When was the last time you thought about former Vancouver Whitecaps manager and Toronto FC original Carl Robinson? He’s set to take over a new bench.
Scottish Premiership side St Mirren are closing in on the appointment of Robinson as their new manager, with advanced talks underway and a deal expected to be finalized in the coming days, according to Pete O’Rourke.
The Welsh coach, best known in North America for his time with the Vancouver Whitecaps, appears set for a return to the dugout after several years away from a permanent head coaching role.
The 49-year-old spent more than four seasons in charge of Vancouver between 2014 and 2018, establishing himself as one of the more recognizable figures in MLS. He managed 200 matches across all competitions for the Whitecaps, posting a record of 75 wins, 60 draws, and 65 losses.
Robinson’s tenure included guiding the Caps to the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2015 and 2017, as well as a run to the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals in 2017 — one of the club’s most notable achievements before last season.
Despite those highs, Robinson was dismissed in September 2018 following a dip in league form, with Marc Dos Santos later appointed as his successor ahead of the 2019 season.
Prior to his time in Vancouver, Robinson gained managerial experience in Australia with Western Sydney Wanderers FC, where he briefly served as head coach after working within their setup. Following his departure from the Whitecaps, Robinson remained active in football, taking on roles in coaching — he served as an assistant to Wayne Rooney at D.C. United — and technical analysis while also staying connected through media and advisory work.
Now, with St Mirren looking to build on recent stability in the Scottish Premiership, Robinson’s experience in managing at a high level and his track record of developing competitive squads has made him a leading candidate.
St Mirren are 10th in the Scottish Premiership with seven matches to play. The bottom two sides are relegated in Scotland each season. Never shy for a fight, Robinson will be walking into one at St. Mirren Park.