Posted by

Harjeet Johal ,

September 25, 2018 Twitter

@HarJournalist

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VANCOUVER, B.C - Carl Robinson's tenure as Vancouver Whitecaps FC Manager has come to an end. The Welshman was released of his managerial duties on Tuesday morning along with Assistant Coach Martyn Pert, and Goalkeeper Coach Stewart Kerr.



Whitecaps FC Academy technical director Craig Dalrymple will manage Vancouver for the remainder of the season. The 44 year-old former Vancouver 86ers midfielder will not be in the running to be named permanent coach for the 2019 season.



Carl Robinson took charge of Vancouver in December 2013. In 165 matches, Whitecaps FC held a 64-59-42 record. The club scored 229 goals, and allowed 233 goals against. Vancouver made the MLS playoffs in 2014, 2015, and 2017.



Whitecaps FC players have had little time to reflect upon Robinson's release. Captain Kendall Waston was clearly the most vocal, shocked, disappointed by the day’s events.



"It's very difficult because, since I came here, obviously I came here because of the coaches, not for the club." Waston revealed. "The coaches bring me so I feel gutted for them. Since day one, they did a brilliant job with us, but this year, the points, games, wasn't enough. It's a difficult moment. I'm not happy at all."



The timing of the split between Robinson and the organization is quite curious. Vancouver has five matches remaining, and with a 11-11-7 record, they're only 4 points out of the 6th and final playoff spot in the MLS western conference. If as speculated, and Robinson was going to depart, why not wait until the end of the current 2018 campaign?



"I was thinking five games to go, if it was the right moment." Waston wondered. "Personally, I don't think it was the right moment, but I'm not in charge of the club. I'm just a player, I'm just an employee. I don't agree, but it's my personal opinion. Obviously, it hurts a lot, because I don't think it was the proper way it happened."



Red Nation Online asked Waston if he plans on returning next season now that Robinson is gone.



"If I want to stay here long-term? I have a contract one more year, but you never know what's going to happen at the end of the season. The coach leaves, it's normal that the captain of the ship, left. The cruise members are moving as well. It happens it's normal in football."



Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder, Russell Teibert has been with the Caps organization for almost a decade. The former residency product has seen a lot of players, and managers come and go. He has seen his fair share, and knows the reality of sports.



"Mixed emotions, kind of shocked," Teibert admitted. "It's the nature of the business. We kind of know what we're getting into when we take this profession. He's been in the game a long time, and he knows it's a business as well."



The always positive Canadian international knows that this could provide a jolt or a boost of life into a Whitecaps FC squad that needs results if they're to make the playoffs. A change in coach, is quite often the quickest way to revive a roster. As to whether or not this is the right time to make such a massive, necessary change, only time will tell.



"That's a good question." Teibert said. "We lose two games in a row and time's running out. I don't know if that is the change. Hindsight is always going to be 20/20. If we go on a run here, and we make the playoffs, maybe you guys can spin it, and say that it is the change. It can go two different directions. I'm a ultimist, and I give us a real shot to make the playoffs."



Leading goal-scorer Kei Kamara was finally acquired by Vancouver in December. After several attempts at bringing in the proven goal-poacher. Robinson was finally able to get the tall, and coveted MLS fox in the box. In what was Robinson's last match with Vancouver, Kamara's 13th goal of the season came in a 2-1 loss to FC Dallas on Sunday.



"Shock." Kamara reflected. "Carl was somebody that brought me in to this club. He believed in me, and he believed in how I could play. He believed in how I could fit the system, and I respect him so much as a coach and everything he's done here. Consistent. When I heard the news, I take it personally. I feel like we did that to him, as players, or I did that to him. If I had been better at crosses over the weekend, those corners kicks didn't go in. He still would have been here. I feel responsible for part of it."



In terms of who will become the next coach of Whitecaps FC. The rumour mill, and speculation will start immediately. Vancouver Whitecaps FC President, Bobby Lenarduzzi will be circling the globe for Robinson's successor, whoever that might be.



"What we want is the right guy." Lenarduzzi told reporters. "We'll give ourselves enough time to ensure that we do all the exploratory work, and investigative work that we can do to give us the best chance of acquiring the best person that's out there. I certainly don't want to put a timeline on it at this point. We'd like to get it done as quickly as possible, but not at the expense of perhaps getting the right candidate."



The future of Robinson will also be a subject of curiosity. There certainly is no pressure to jump back into coaching, as Robinson was under contract with Vancouver through the 2020 season. He could perhaps join a television punditry panel as he did during the 2018 FIFA World Cup this past summer. The U.K. could also be a desired destination.



The 41 year-old, Robinson has not yet spoken to Whitecaps FC players, staff, and personnel. He is however expected to address the Caps players in the coming days.



"Carl was very professional." Lenarduzzi said of Robinson. "He was very professional, and he handled it in a way that was admiral on his part. As were both assistants, Martyn, and Stewart. They weren't combative and they accepted the nature of the business that we're in."



There is never a quiet season in football. Managers are hired to be fired. The carousel never stops churning. Ultimately the players play, and the coaches coach. Carl Robinson will likely land on his feet, and Whitecaps FC will eventually rebound. Who will guide Vancouver long-term, and who will be back in 2019. That's to be decided after the season.