Paul Robinson slots seamlessly into Millwall coaching role

Gary Rowett says that Paul Robinson has smoothly integrated into Millwall’s backroom team.

The 42-year-old, who played more than 750 first-team matches, was recently appointed first-team coach.

Robinson has replaced Shaun Williams, who combined playing with the role last season. The Irish midfielder signed for Portsmouth this summer following his release by the Lions.

Robinson played Watford, Birmingham, Bolton, Leeds and West Bromwich Albion and had seven campaigns in the Premier League.

He retired in 2018 and moved into Birmingham’s coaching set-up. He was lead professional development coach before making the move to South London.

Rowett said: “When we appointed Willo as player-coach last season, I think towards the end of the season we could see he probably really wanted to play more than he wanted to coach. So I had to be fair to him.

“When Willo left it was an area off the pitch that we just felt we needed to improve.

“I’d worked with Robbo for two or three years at Birmingham. I’d kept in contact with him all the way through. He has got that experience of high-level performance, having played in the Premier League and having coached the U23s and U18s at Birmingham. He’s got good coaching experience.

“You always look for people who can be a good fit for the club. People who will come in and show the same enthusiasm and passion that the rest of the staff work with. He was certainly one I felt would be a really, really good addition to our coaching staff.

“It’s going really well so far. It’s given Adam [Barrett, assistant manager] someone to bounce ideas off of when I’m not around.

“There are two of them setting up sessions and working through sessions. It’s nice to have a new coach with a bit of spunk about them, who wants to be really good at what they do.”