Burton Albion: Owner Ben Robinson on manager Martin Paterson's future
- Published
Martin Paterson's Burton side have failed to win in six games
Burton owner Ben Robinson has confirmed manager Martin Paterson is on a deal until the end of the season, but insists there are more permanent plans for the rookie boss.
The 36-year-old ex-Swansea and Barnsley assistant was appointed in January, but no contract details were made public.
Burton have collected just 11 points from 36 since Paterson took the job.
"Initially it's see how you go from January to the end of the season," Robinson told BBC Radio Derby.
"Then we will take a view on the long term. And it's a scenario where hopefully it's going to be a long-term relationship."
Former Burnley, Huddersfield and Northern Ireland striker Paterson took the job at the Pirelli Stadium after working as an assistant manager in England and the United States, which included a stint at Inter Miami alongside Phil Neville.
He worked under Michael Duff at both Barnsley and Swansea, and it is a relationship which Robinson was aware of when handing Paterson his first job as a manager.
"Looking at it financially, Martin is not managing Burton Albion for the money," Robinson laughed.
"What you have to recognise with Martin is that he spent years at Barnsley and Swansea as Michael Duff's assistant and Michael Duff has a good reputation in the game.
"And so it wasn't just about staying until the end of the season [at Burton], it was a bigger picture than that because if Michael Duff gets a position with a big club then I'm sure he could come calling for Martin."
'Want him to succeed'
Robinson insists the Burton job and trying to guide them to League One safety is a "great opportunity" for Martin.
"He has lots of experience as a player and has lots of experience as an assistant and now he is in the hot seat himself," Robinson continued.
"Obviously, I for one want to see him succeed.
"He is a good guy, he has a great philosophy, he is honest and works hard. The players and backroom staff are responding to him and he's a man they can trust."
Success would be keeping Burton in League One for a seventh successive season, which is something the Brewers are budgeting on.
"The squad is good enough to stay in this division and that is the plan," Robinson added.
"What we have to do by the end of April is submit to the EFL our financial plan to the end of next season, the summer of 2025.
"There are factors there: is it a League One budget or a League Two budget? We have looked at that as a League One budget for next season, we haven't considered a League Two budget.
"If we do get relegated, God forbid, then that will get adjusted."