Carl Robinson with Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Former Vancouver Whitecaps FC manager Carl Robinson was sacked by Western Sydney Wanders on Sunday.
Robinson began the season under immense pressure after failing to guide the Wanderers to the playoffs last term.
"The Wanderers would like to thank Carl for his time at the club over the last one and half seasons, and wish him all the best in his future endeavours," read the statement from the A-League side.
"The club will shortly make an announcement regarding the head coach position for the rest of the season."
Robinson, as earnest and upfront a man as you will ever meet, didn't shy away after a recent 3-0 defeat at the hands of Brisbane Roar. "You can't hide and blame. That's not the culture that we try and create, or gets you anywhere," he said. "I'm not going to give in."
Unfortunately, it wasn't his decision.
Robinson arrived in Australia during the 2019-20 season with Newcastle Jets FC, who were sporting a dismal 2-4-9 record. Under Robinson, the Jets boasted a 7-3-1 record, improving their overall form to 9-7-10, good enough for 8th in the 11 club league.
Newcastle were suffering financially, and when Western Sydney Wanderers came calling, offering to buy out his contract, and promising a hefty budget to work with, it was impossible for Robinson, or Newcastle, who desperately needed a cash inject, to resist.
Alas, the promised budget never quite materialised, and once again, Robinson was asked to build a team on the cheap.
We can only hope that his next destination allows him to compete on a level playing field. After all, the Welshman has spent seven years, with three clubs, in two countries, trying to turn water into wine. It would be nice to see him work with a sizeable budget for the sheer change of pace.