MCFCforum Interviews: Michael Robinson

In 1979, the return of Malcolm Allison, saw, as it always does with new managers, an influx of new players, and Michael Robinson, the Republic of Ireland international, was one of them, signed from Preston North End for the sum of £750,000. Unfortunately, Robinson did not remain at the club for very long, however his football career in England lasted more than 11 years (most notable with Liverpool and QPR), before retiring in Spain, where he now lives and works as a TV pundit.

 

So successful has his Spanish career been, that he is now a Spanish national, and has worked in the Spanish football media on television for many years, including the current El dia del fútbol.

 

Thank you Michael for taking the time to speak with us today, so let’s get cracking with the first of ten questions …

 

MCFCforum: You were only 21 when you became part of Allison’s revolution at City, how much did you learn from Allison? Did you enjoy your stay at City?

Michael Robinson: I was only 19 years of age at the time. Frankly I didn’t understand anything, training seemed like a geometrical brainwash. However, as the years went by so much of what Malcolm tried to teach me fell into place; he was a visionary that very few of us understood. What’s more, when the older players ridiculed him, us younger ones felt, that in effect, he was a nutcase. Only years later I realized his brilliance.

 

MCFCforum: We started the 1979-80 season full of hope under Allison’s “new era” with a good performance in our 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace. No disrespect to yourself and Steve Mckenzie etc, but can you shed some light on why Allison systematically dismantled a massively successful team (runners up in 1977 and 4th in 1978) and chanced his arm with big-money and relatively unknown purchases, which ultimately led to disaster – what was his plan?

MR: Malcolm felt he needed to groom young blood; of course it’s far easier to brainwash the innocence of youth. Malcolm had more difficulty with older players more accustomed to other ways of interpreting the game.

 

MCFCforum: You came to City under the pressure of an inflated transfer fee, not your fault, but this principle will be repeated this summer, how will these lads cope?

MR: The game has changed so much nowadays, there is more of a mercenary effect?less attachment to the club, fans, etc; there’s less sentiment. Failing at City broke my heart and I ended up with the psychologist. I don’t think that applies today.

 

MCFCforum: Which achievement are you most proud of? Steering Osasuna to a 5th place finish or the mini treble (League, European Cup & League Cup) with Liverpool?

MR: The mini treble without a doubt, however, there was a greater merit to my exploits with Osasuna. Liverpool would have won the treble with or without me, they were the greatest team in the World at that time.

 

MCFCforum: How did you end up in the media business, was it something you always planned on doing after your career, or did you just end up doing it?

MR: My idea was always to write television. Strangely enough, I was always reasonably creative. I’m not necessarily a football pundit, however, I do commentate on games; my real job is writing and presenting shows.

 

MCFCforum: What made you want to become a Spanish citizen? You have adapted to Spanish life spectacularly well, what’s the secret? and what’s your advice to someone wanting to learn Spanish ? 

MR: I felt at home in Spain. The secret is, when in Spain, do as the Spanish do. To live and breath España, observe, and be curious.

 

MCFCforum: How much is the television money unbalancing La Liga?

MR: In principle the money in football should be a good thing, but once greed and irresponsibility?with a large dose of selfishness sets in?we arrive at anarchy. There is no collective conscience.

 

MCFCforum: Which team in your opinion has played the best football in Spain this year (outside of the big two)?

MR: Valencia, and, now-and-again, Sevilla. However El Barça is ecstasy!!!!!!!

 

MCFCforum: Who are the young Spanish coaches to watch out for? Which coach has impressed you the most this year and why?

MR: Pep Guardiola and, perhaps, Unai Emery of Valencia. But most of all Pep, for his ideology, born from Cruyffism, but he has taken it in to modern times without perverting the essence.

 

MCFCforum: And finally, do you think Spain’s current national team has evolved through outstanding training or are they a one off generation?

MR: No, Spain hasn’t got the one-stop generation, or what the English have called their “Golden Generation”. Twenty years ago, Spain adopted without realising Cruyffism, via “the dream team”, since such time, most teams, and all the kids at school imitate that brand of football; everyone wants to be Xavi or Iniesta?it’s cool to be small and have a great touch. Nowadays nobody says your too small to be a football player. More than training, it’s a concept, an idea that starts with the ball, to keep the ball collectively, keep the ball in motion. It’s something more important than training, it’s the ideology.

 

MCFCforum.com cannot thank Michael enough for taking time out of his busy day, and giving us some insight into a part of City’s past and the state of Spanish football today.

 

We would also like to make a special mention to bluemooner_mcfc for setting this up for us.