https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2022/05/25/
mark-robinson-named-chelsea-development-squad-head-coach
Mark Robinson named Chelsea development squad head coach
25 May 2022
Mark Robinson has been appointed head coach of the Chelsea development
squad.
https://i.imgur.com/bj723h9.jpg
Robinson has spent the majority of his coaching career at AFC Wimbledon in
a variety of roles, working as head of the club's academy and youth team
coach before a 14-month spell in charge of the senior side.
Highly regarded for his work within youth development in particular,
Robinson spent 18 years with the Dons, initially joining in 2004 and
helping shape their academy setup from scratch two years after the club's
reformation.
As head coach of the Under-18s, he guided Wimbledon into the last-16 of
the FA Youth Cup in consecutive seasons, coming up against a Chelsea side
featuring the likes of Trevoh Chalobah and Mason Mount. The crowd of
almost 3,500 supporters at Kingsmeadow, Wimbledon's then-home ground,
underlined the connection he had established between the fanbase and the
young team.
https://i.imgur.com/4MotRvJ.jpg
Robinson guided Wimbledon into the last-16 of the Youth Cup in 2016, where
they were beaten by Chelsea
During his time at the south London club, Robinson also worked in charge
of the loans programme and as a first team coach before taking the reins
following the departure of Glyn Hodges in January last year. He steered
the side away from danger with a progressive style of football and secured
their status in the third tier.
After a positive start to the 2021/22 campaign, including a run to the
Carabao Cup third round that saw them take on Arsenal at the Emirates,
Wimbledon's form dipped in the second half of the season and Robinson left
the club in March.
Head of youth development Neil Bath said: 'We're delighted to welcome Mark
to the club. He has vast experience across youth development and the
senior game, which will enable the Academy to continue to develop players
for the professional game.
https://i.imgur.com/k901Vu9.jpg
Bath, pictured middle, has welcomed Robinson to the club
'We are confident that Mark will fit into our way of working and that he
will add great value to the development of our players both individually
and as a team. We look forward to Mark starting work in pre-season.'
A Chelsea supporter as a boy, Robinson now takes charge of our most senior
academy age group and will begin work with the squad in pre-season.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Robinson_(football_manager)