Karl Robinson emerges as a ‘strong contender’ for the vacant Bristol Rovers managerial role, according to Darren Witcoop, with the 43-year-old previously managed Milton Keynes Dons, Charlton Athletic and Oxford United.
Joey Barton’s tenure at the club ended last week after over two and a half years in the job. The ex-Fleetwood Town boss managed promotion for his side with a third-place finish in League Two in 2022 due to an emphatic 7-0 win over Scunthorpe United on the last day of the season.
The Bristol-based club remained in the third division last season with a 17th-place finish, eight points clear of safety. The 41-year-old manager eventually got the axe whilst his side sat 16th in the table, failing to win in their last three games under his tutelage.
His reported successor in this role has been out of work since the end of last season, having been the assistant manager at Leeds United under the notorious Sam Allardyce, although the pair were unable to keep the Whites in the Premier League.
Robinson is most highly regarded for the work he did at MK Dons, being given the job at 29 years of age and achieving the club’s first and only promotion to the Championship with a second-place finish in League One. He was relieved of his duties during his seventh season in charge following a 3-0 loss to Southend United.
At Oxford United, he provided consecutive play-off finishes in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons, failing to win promotion to the second division in either campaign.
Bristol Rovers currently sit 15th in League One with 19 points. Interim manager Andy Mangan led the side to a 2-1 home victory over fellow relegation candidates Northampton Town.
Writer’s View
Karl Robinson has a great amount of experience in League One and has provided a considerable number of playoff finishes with multiple different clubs.
The 43-year-old will certainly be looking to get back to work after his short time in West Yorkshire and the project with Rovers would likely be an attractive one if he is confident of being able to keep them in the league this season.
