I was determined to get it right on the pitch. Then, if I had to leave at the end of the season, so be it. I never felt threatened or isolated by the arrangement. We worked together and it worked out.

Towards the end of his playing career he moved into management as player-manager with Middlesbrough. Robson began his management career with Middlesbrough in 1994 although he did not retire from playing until 1997. He managed Middlesbrough for seven years guiding them to two promotions to the FA Premier League and to the first three cup finals of the club's history later returning to West Bromwich Albion for a two-year spell as manager after a brief and unsuccessful spell in charge of Bradford City.