Peterborough United coach Mark Robson has left the Championship club to take up a ‘Head Coach’ role at League Two side Barnet.
Robson will oversee the running of the First Team with a major part of his role to aid the development of Academy football at The Hive Training Centre.
Having joined Posh during the managerial reign of Gary Johnson, he retained his role after Johnson left the club which also saw the return of Darren Ferguson who had previously guided Posh to two successive promotions.
43-year-old Robson is widely regarded as one of the best qualified coaches in the professional game, holding a UEFA Pro License and previously coaching under managers such as Alan Curbishley and Alan Pardew.
The appointment is seen as a shift in footballing philosophy where, previously, Barnet had a Manager whose sole focus was to oversee First Team selection and tactics which has resulted in a relegation scrap where they have had to battle right up until the last day of the season for the past three seasons!
The aim now is to establish a ‘pure football brand’ where only highly-qualified coaches will be taking charge of all aspects of football within Barnet FC, from the Academy all the way through to the First Team.
Barnet FC’s Director of Football, Paul Fairclough, said: ‘I want the club to become renowned for the way they pass the ball and try to play their way through opposition, as opposed to over them. Obviously, results are important but those results can be achieved by playing good, entertaining football. The season we were promoted from the Conference the side played some useful stuff. Things have moved on now and we have a fantastic Centre of Excellence producing good results at all levels by teaching the kids to pass and support, as opposed to using brute force.
‘One of our major problems in the past has been noticed when some of our young scholars were called into train with the First Team – they were lost as everything they were taught in the Academy went out of the window. We need a structure that recognises and complements what goes on at Barnet’s grass roots level. We need a philosophy of playing the game that flows right through the club, including the First Team. It does not make sense to do one thing then the complete opposite just when the fruit is about to ripen.
‘With this in mind, rather than have a Football Manager with some coaching skills, I believe we need a Head Coach who can be taught management skills. To assist Barnet in establishing a footballing philosophy we have appointed Mark Robson as our new ‘Head Coach/Manager’.’ he continued.
‘Mark is a highly skilled, highly qualified and respected coach in the professional game. He will not waiver from his beliefs. I am convinced that if results were not going in our favour, Mark would look for new solutions without compromising our philosophy and his personal beliefs on how the game should be played.
‘In Mark Robson we have secured the services of a forward-thinking coach who will lead the club along a new and exciting pathway. I truly see this as a new dawn for Barnet Football Club.’
Barnet FC Chairman, Tony Kleanthous, also said: ‘I am proud of what our youth policy has achieved in such a short space of time.
‘Academy 2 status means a financial commitment of £1m per annum in the football club’s Youth Development Policy and, coupled with the world class facilities available at The Hive, we hope to attract some of the best coaches in football.
‘This season we are also looking to introduce an Under 21 Development Squad to provide a link through for the youth players into the First Team. This structure will be overseen by Paul Fairclough, our Director of Football.’
It is believed Posh won’t be looking to replace Robson. Darren Ferguson and Kevin Russell will look after the coaching duties alongside goalkeeping coach Barry Richardson.
Vital Posh would like to thank Mark for his time and efforts at Posh and wishes him luck in his new role at Barnet.
UP THE POSH Follow me on Twitter: @mwl1967
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