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Whitecaps appoint Robinson as head coach

CarlRobinsonVancouverWhitecaps1 (Province)

By DAN KARELL

After missing out on hiring former U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Bob Bradley, there seemed only one likely outcome for who would be the next manager of the Vancouver Whitecaps.

On Monday, the Whitecaps confirmed previous reports by officially introducing former assistant coach Carl Robinson as the team’s new head coach. It will be Robinson’s first head coaching job since retiring following the 2011 Major League Soccer season. Robinson replaces Martin Rennie, who spent two seasons with the Whitecaps.

“We are thrilled to announce Carl Robinson as our new head coach,” said club president Bob Lenarduzzi said in a statement. “During his time with the club, Carl has shown the qualities you look for in a successful head coach – a strong leader, great communicator with both youth and experienced players, high soccer IQ, technical and tactical intelligence, and a great work ethic. We are confident that Carl is a coach who will bring out the best in his players and help our club achieve success this season and beyond.”

In addition to a 16-year career played across Britain and North America, Robinson also had the public backing of Whitecaps players Camilo Sanvezzo and Russell Teibert.

According to multiple reports in Vancouver, Robinson was one of a number of coaching candidates considered for the job, including Bradley, U.S. Under-17 National Team head coach Richie Williams, and Frank Klopas.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my first two seasons in Vancouver, and am looking forward to the start of the 2014 season – the club’s 40th anniversary,” said Carl Robinson, Whitecaps FC head coach. “We have an exceptional fan base, a solid core of youth and experience, and a committed ownership group. I’m really excited about the opportunity to drive this club forward.”

The Welsh international moved to MLS in 2007 to join Toronto FC, playing there until 2010 when he joined the New York Red Bulls for two seasons. In the 2012 season, Robinson joined Rennie’s staff with the Whitecaps and has been there ever since.

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What do you think of this news? Think he can lead the Whitecaps back to the playoffs? Worried about his inexperience? See a new trend forming in MLS in terms of young inexperienced coaches?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Seriously what did Richie Williams do to get on the MLS black list? To pretty good runs as caretaker for NYRB on his resume and seems to inerview for every open head coaching job but is never selected.

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  2. I just hope Wynalda gets one of these opennings. I think he would be great, but even if things don’t go well, they will at least be interesting.

    Reply

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