Class of '92 restored Robinson's love of football

Karl Robinson's Salford City have won eight of their 15 League Two games this season

Salford City boss Karl Robinson has credited Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs with reigniting his love of football.

The 45-year-old arrived at the Peninsula Stadium in February 2024, almost a year after he was sacked by Oxford United, and has sought counsel from the Class of '92, who made their names as players at Manchester United and have since been involved with Salford.

The Ammies are fourth in League Two and a place above Robinson's former club MK Dons, who they face on Saturday.

Asked by BBC Radio Manchester whether he has changed since leaving MK Dons, Robinson said: "I think the fact is that I'm a different person. I've been through so much privately with my life and with my career, that I'm probably the best version of myself.

"I owe a lot of that to Nicky, Paul and Ryan. They're the people that really give my love for football back. I was sort of losing it a little bit.

"I think that I always set out to try and make some sort of impression on the game and the best I possibly can with young players.

"If it wasn't for them, I still don't know where my head would be at with football."

Butt, Scholes and Giggs were previously part of the ownership group at Salford City, with Butt acting as chief executive and Giggs as director of football.

David Beckham and Gary Neville completed a takeover of the club with a new consortium in May, with Butt stepping down from his post and Giggs leaving his role earlier this season.

Robinson began his managerial career with MK Dons, guiding them to the Championship in 2015, but his six-year spell with the club ended the following year.

Ahead of a return to his former club this weekend, Robinson said he had learned a lot in the nine years since his departure.

"Someone sent me something to say 'Happy anniversary of your sacking.' It was a nice text," Robinson continued.

"How am I as a person? A lot more rounded probably. I'm obviously a better manager now than what I was when I left, because time is everybody's best way of learning.

"I've made way more mistakes since leaving, which means I'm better because of the consequences of making any error."