Burton Albion are reportedly set to appoint the current head coach of Chelsea’s development squad that is Mark Robinson.
Edmund Brack of South London Press tweeted: “Understand former AFC Wimbledon boss Mark Robinson is set to be confirmed as Martin Paterson’s replacement at League One side Burton Albion.”
It comes just hours after Burton Albion finally announced the departure of manager Martin Paterson with first team coaches Gary Mills, 62, and John Dreyer, 60 also leaving.
Reports from BBC Radio Derby last week first revealed that he had left the club, in what was his first senior managerial role, having taken over from caretaker boss Gary Mills in January after Dino Maamria’s departure in December.
Burton sat 17th in League One when Paterson was put in charge, and the team managed to secure only five wins in 20 matches, narrowly avoiding relegation, finishing 20th, just one place and two points above the relegation zone.
Despite initial plans for a more permanent role, the club has now confirmed Paterson’s departure following the expiration of his short-term contract.
Understand former AFC Wimbledon boss Mark Robinson is set to be confirmed as Martin Paterson’s replacement at League One side Burton Albion.
Robinson is currently head coach of Chelsea’s development squad #AFCW
— Edmund Brack (@EdmundBrack) May 31, 2024
So, time to find out about new Burton boss Mark Robinson, as reports would have it. He has been head coach for the Chelsea development squad since May 2022. Throughout his coaching career, Robinson has primarily been associated with AFC Wimbledon, where he held various roles, initially joining the club in 2004 and played a crucial role in establishing their academy setup after the club’s reformation two years later.
Robinson’s expertise in youth development is highly regarded, and during his 18-year tenure with AFC Wimbledon, he guided the Under-18s to the last-16 of the FA Youth Cup in consecutive seasons.
Notably, they faced a Chelsea side that included talented players like Trevoh Chalobah and Mason Mount.
The strong connection he fostered between the young team and the fanbase was evident from the significant crowd of nearly 3,500 supporters at Kingsmeadow, Wimbledon’s former home ground.
In addition to his role as head coach of the Under-18s, Robinson also oversaw the loans program and served as a first team coach at AFC Wimbledon.
Following the departure of Glyn Hodges in January of the previous year, he took charge of the senior team and successfully steered them away from relegation, implementing a progressive style of football that secured their position in the third tier.
After a promising start to the 2021/22 season, which included a notable run to the Carabao Cup third round where they faced Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, Robinson left AFC Wimbledon in March 2022.
In his first season as the head coach of Chelsea’s Under-21 side, he led them to a commendable third-place finish in the Premier League 2 competition.
BURTON STATEMENT ON MARTIN PATERSON
Following the LMA’s statement confirming Martin Paterson’s departure from Burton Albion, the club can release the following.
Manager Martin Paterson has left Burton Albion following the expiry of his short-term contract.
Paterson joined the Brewers in January after Gary Mills had acted as caretaker manager following the departure of Dino Maamria, and the former Northern Ireland striker will now look to take on new challenges.
Chairman Ben Robinson MBE DL, said: “Martin took up the managerial position under very difficult circumstances in January and he worked extremely hard with the support of his backroom staff, which saw the club secure its League One status.
Burton Albion has agreed to mutually part company with first team coaches Gary Mills and John Dreyer.
Following discussions, it has been agreed that for the best future for all parties both Mills and Dreyer will leave the Pirelli Stadium.
Mills joined the Brewers from Coventry City last September where he was Lead Professional Development Phase Coach, before becoming First Team Coach under then manager Dino Maamria.
Mills also took charge of the Brewers on a caretaker basis in December, securing two important home wins and two draws against Charlton Athletic and Wycombe Wanderers.
“I just want to say how much I’ve enjoyed my time at the club,” said Mills.
“Having been in football for many years playing and coaching keeping Burton Albion in League One it was a big achievement that I’m extremely proud of.
“The opportunity to be caretaker manager, was a real high point in my coaching career.
“I wish Burton Albion all the very best in the future.”
John Dreyer also leaves the club having joined last summer. The former Barnet man left the National League club last June to be appointed as Dino Maamria’s Assistant Manager.
On departure, Dreyer said: “Thank you to everyone at Burton Albion Football Club. I couldn’t have wished to work with such terrific people. I sincerely wish everyone good fortune for the future.”
Chairman Ben Robinson MBE DL said: “I’d like to place on record my thanks to Gary and John for their hard work during their time at the club and for their contributions in preserving the club’s League One status.”
This is how fans reacted with Burton Albion set to appoint Mark Robinson, the head coach of Chelsea’s development squad…
@sportswithjohn: Thrilled for Mark Robinson, an absolute AFC Wimbledon legend and lovely human being.
@gordspal: Wouldn’t have been my first choice but if it’s the case then got to back him 👍🏼 #bafc
@AngelDONSo: A lovely man @Mark6Robinson Smash it at Albion 💪🏼
@jackyp97: Next move is massive, time to stabilise the club and start moving in the right direction
@BAFCmack: Don’t give us the january manger cycle again #bafc 🙏
ON PATERSON:
@DavidYeomans10: His heart was in the right place but we need someone to really take this club forward and players that respect the manager and do the job for Burton Albion and the Fans!
@ben_boocock: Don’t have an issue with the guy as a person, seems a nice guy. Just don’t think he was the right person as manager. Appreciate the fact we stayed up, but let’s move on and rebuild 💛🖤 COYB
@davechild28: Thanks Martin, sadly it didn’t work out, that’s football, good luck for the future 👍
@bafcwill: All the best Martin, just wasn’t to be 💛🖤
@SteveJackvlogs: He just didn’t fit the bill and comments about the fans didn’t help him at all!
@charliekeegan: I was worrying for Burton going into the 24/25 season with Paterson in charge, but the board clearly didn’t want to risk it 🟡 Put together some important wins, but it didn’t look like the right fit and 3 wins from the final 15 was awful form. Need a big change now. #bafc
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