Robinson picks brains while in UK
RUGBY LEAGUE: Despite winning two NRL premierships in six seasons as Sydney Roosters coach, Trent Robinson is still looking for new ways to succeed.
The 41-year-old, who on Monday (from 7am AEST) gets the chance to add the World Club Challenge title to his resume, has met with three of British football’s biggest names – including England boss Gareth Southgate – to swap ideas.
Weeks after the Roosters beat Melbourne in last year’s decider, Robinson was plotting how to become the first man since Wayne Bennett to win back-to-back premierships (at Brisbane in 1997 and ’98).
Ahead of an annual Christmas visit to his wife’s family in France, Robinson contacted Southgate to see if he would be interested in exchanging ideas.
Similar requests were put to former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, now in charge of Scottish giants Celtic, and Sean Dyche, the manager of EPL side Burnley.
“They were all incredibly accommodating,” Robinson said.
“I first got to spend some time with Brendan in Scotland – he is a very intelligent man and was great to talk to.
“Gareth Southgate was much the same – super smart but also very driven about what he wants to achieve.
“Sean Dyche really impressed me. There is a man who can get the best out of a team.
“It was all different stuff that was discussed. How you work on tactics. How you deal with players off the field. How you work with the media and of course the psychology of the team and what you as a coach can input to them.”
“They were so open and honest. It was really interesting and beneficial.”