Oldham Athletic have found the man to succeed John Sheridan as their manager in Motherwell assistant boss Steve Robinson.
The board at Boundary Park have ended a two-and-a-half month search that saw first choice Steve Evans ditch the job when the club was on the verge of confirming his appointment publicly.
Robinson recently returned from France, where he helped Northern Ireland progress through the group stage of Euro 2016 in his role as first-team coach. An experience that has helped the 41-year-old garner a reputation which impressed Latics chairman Simon Corney.
“We are delighted to welcome Steve to the club as our first-team manager,” Corney told the club’s website.
“He has a wealth of experience, both at club and international level and impressed me and the board straight away.
“He has an outstanding reputation in the game and we believe his dynamic, methodical and thorough approach will quickly translate into success on the pitch.
“In addition, he has identified and begun recruiting players whom he believes will excite our supporters and demonstrate the strong work ethic and attractive style of play he demands.
Robinson added that he felt a good vibe from the club, explaining: “When I came down here, I felt like this was the right club to join. I really like what the owner said to me.
“He sold me his ideas and ambitions and I had demands of my own which I wanted to be met to give me the best opportunity to be successful. He has been really good with that and it’s an exciting time for the football club.
“I’m more than ready for this job. It’s a club that has massive tradition and I want to get an identity back to the club, take the club forward and hopefully we can move forward together.
“Oldham Athletic has managed to stay in this division for a long time now, and now is the time to kick it on.
“It is important to put a structure in place which secures the future of the club, brings young players through, puts energy, pace and enthusiasm into the club and that’s what I intend doing.”
Robinson, who had spells as Bournemouth and Luton as a player, has already finalised deals for a number of transfer targets after barely 48 hours in the job by signing a trio who have ties to Motherwell.
Full-back Josh Law has penned a one-year deal after being made a free agent at Fir Park.
Middlesbrough goalkeeper Connor Ripley joins the Latics on a season-long loan after spending last season in Scotland.
And at the opposite end of the pitch, striker Lee Erwin also joins on loan for the season from Leeds United.
