Release Date: 09/02/2012

STEPHEN Robinson has been appointed as the new manager of the Northern Ireland Under-21 team.

The former international, who won seven senior caps for his country, will manage the team for the remainder of the UEFA Euro 2013 qualifiers.

His first game in charge will be a Euro 2013 qualifier away to Macedonia on Wednesday 29 February.  The home tie of this game will be played on Friday 7 September, with the final qualifier in the campaign away to Denmark on Monday 10 September.

Robinson, who was previously assistant manager of the Under-19 team, will announce his backroom team in the coming days.

“I am extremely honoured to be given this position with the Under-21s.  With so many good young players coming through our ranks here in Northern Ireland it is an exciting time to be involved in the set-up. 

"I know from my time with the Under-19s the calibre of players we have and it is an advantage, of course, that I have already worked with some of the current Under-21 players in my previous role, so I know what they are capable of,” said Robinson.

The 37-year-old enjoyed a successful club career, with the majority of his playing days spent at Bournemouth and Luton Town.  He also played for Tottenham Hotspur, Preston North End and Bristol City.  Robinson will continue in his role as the Irish FA’s County Derry Excellence Coach.

Northern Ireland manager, Michael O’Neill added:  “Stephen is an exciting young coach with plenty of ambition and drive to succeed.  He has tremendous experience as a player and I have absolutely no doubt that he will use that experience and become a first class coach and manager. 

"I feel he has the knowledge of the young players in this country and for me, he was an obvious choice to be the Under-21 manager.”

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