Peterborough United have today confirmed via a club statement on their official website that they have parted company with manager Dave Robertson. The Posh have only won one game in their opening six league games, which included yesterdays 2-1 defeat at Southend United.
41-year-old Robertson was given a three-year contract in May after impressing in a spell as caretaker manager, following the departure of Darren Ferguson. Owner Darragh MacAnthony expressed in a lengthy statement released early this afternoon that now is the right time to make a change,
“I would personally like to thank David for stepping in last season when the club was at a low point after the previous manager’s departure. He steadied the ship, put a smile on everyone’s faces and worked tirelessly each day to improve the clubs fortunes on the pitch.
After the season had finished, I felt it fair to give David a proper shot and appointed him first team manager on a full time basis with the remit to get our young squad ready and prepared for a proper promotion challenge this season whilst attempting to play the kind of football our fans have become accustomed to over the last 8 or 9 years.
Unfortunately after yesterday’s result and the manner of defeat, I felt it was time to take action and make a change as it had become plain to see our young squad was under-performing and playing nowhere near their potential. Make no mistake, our players must also shoulder responsibility for this awful start to the season which has led to a great person losing their job.”
MacAnthony went on to say how the current squad cost over £4million to assemble in transfer fees alone and was upset to have been accused of ‘going down the cheap route’ according to a selection of supporters. He also believed that the team has plenty of talent, but could certainly improve in terms of work ethic and developing a winning mentality. He also revealed how the players are playing for their futures and apologised on behalf of the squad for their performance in their draw with Gillingham last week.
The current coaching staff, led by assistant and former player Grant McCann will prepare the team for their next game away to Oldham Athletic. As for Robertson, he took to Twitter this afternoon to thank the club and wish them all the best for the season ahead.
Thanks for the Journey @theposhofficial and I genuinely wish all at the club the very best of luck for the future. pic.twitter.com/SaFmfxCPHu
— Dave Robertson (@DaveRobertson11) September 6, 2015
