Former Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion stalwart Paul Robinson has revealed he is contemplating a career change, describing his experiences on the football coaching treadmill as "disheartening".
From Playing Legend to Coaching Frustration
The 47-year-old, who retired from playing in May 2018 after a remarkable 20-year career featuring 747 appearances for clubs including Blues, West Brom, and Watford, has struggled to find a stable footing in coaching. Despite holding posts at his former clubs Birmingham City and Watford, as well as at Millwall, the instability of the profession has taken its toll.
Robinson's latest role came after Tom Cleverley's exit from Watford in May of last year. Following a short stint with non-league Stratford Town, he is now working with Oxford City in the National League North, a position he anticipates keeping until the season concludes.
The Reality of the Modern Football Industry
In an interview with BirminghamLive, Robinson explained how his Oxford City role evolved from a part-time to a full-time commitment. "I'm now in from Monday to Friday, as well as being involved on matchdays at weekends," he stated.
While he enjoys the day-to-day aspects of coaching, the former defender highlighted the significant challenges. "Football is a difficult industry at the moment," Robinson said. "The number of managerial changes means it can be challenging to find opportunities. At times, it can feel disheartening when roles don't materialise."
He spoke candidly about the emotional and financial investment in gaining coaching qualifications, only to face a limited job market and demanding interview processes that often don't yield results.
A Crossroads and a Deadline
Robinson has now set himself a personal deadline. "I've reached a point where I'm giving myself another year or two to continue pushing forward, while also reflecting on what the long-term future might look like," he admitted.
He remains ambitious and is still exploring opportunities within the EFL. For now, his focus is on helping Oxford City progress, but his comments reveal a seasoned professional at a career crossroads, forced to weigh his passion for the game against the harsh realities of the modern coaching circuit.
