Motherwell assistant Robinson joined
Motherwell in February 2015, to assist manager
Ian Baraclough. He also assisted the Northern Ireland national team, working with
Michael O'Neill, that qualified for
UEFA Euro 2016. He was replaced as manager by
John Sheridan on 12 January 2017.
Motherwell Robinson returned to Motherwell in February 2017, this time to assist
Mark McGhee as first team coach. Less than two weeks later, Robinson took over as interim manager following McGhee's departure from the club. He was subsequently appointed as manager on a permanent basis in March 2017. On 13 October 2017, Manager Robinson extended his contract with Motherwell until May 2020. On 22 October 2017, Robinson guided Motherwell to the
Scottish League Cup final after defeating
Pedro Caixinha's
Rangers 2–0 at
Hampden. The game saw both managers sent to the stands for their behaviour on the touchline. They were defeated in
the final 2–0 by
Celtic. In April 2018, Motherwell won in the
2017–18 Scottish Cup semi-finals, overcoming
Aberdeen 3–0, to set up another final with Celtic the following month; this was the first time the club had appeared in both domestic finals since the
1950–51 season. On 27 September 2019, Robinson said clubs had a duty of care in relation to
players' mental well-being if they were injured. On 31 December 2020, Robinson resigned as Motherwell manager, after over three years in charge of the Lanarkshire side.
Morecambe On 7 June 2021, Robinson was named as manager of newly promoted
League One side
Morecambe on a three-year deal.
St Mirren Robinson returned to Scottish football in February 2022, becoming manager of
St Mirren. In December 2025, Robinson and St Mirren lifted the
Scottish League Cup defeating
Celtic 3-1 at
Hampden Park. Robinson left St Mirren in March 2026 to take up the vacant position at Aberdeen.
Aberdeen Robinson was appointed as head coach at
Aberdeen in March 2026, after Aberdeen met a compensation clause in his contract with St Mirren. ==Personal life==