John Robertson says experience and maturity will help him return to Caley Thistle a better manager than the one who left the Highlanders 13 years ago.
Robertson was yesterday confirmed as Inverness’ new manager, signing a two-year deal after leaving his ambassadorial role with Hearts.
Robertson was approached by chairman Willie Finlayson to replace Richie Foran, who was sacked last month. The former Ross County and Livingston manager will retain assistant Brian Rice and first-team coach Scott Kellacher.
After Inverness’ relegation to the Championship, Robertson will immediately be tasked with replicating his success of 2004 when he led Caley Jags to the First Division title and promotion to the top flight for the first time in their history.
Robertson left later that year to join Hearts, which proved a shortlived spell before he was sacked in May 2005.
Despite the fact Robertson has not held a management position since leaving East Fife in 2012, he reckons his experiences both in and out of the dugout have prepared him for his return.
Robertson said: “I think I am a better manager, although it will come down to results, like most things.
“There will be people in certain areas saying I’ve not managed for a few years. I’ve had several opportunities to manage that I’ve turned down. I just felt at the time, after East Fife, I took a wee break from the game which suited me. Then I had the wonderful opportunity to go back to Hearts post-administration.
“The projects they wanted me to do were huge, both on and off the pitch. There were lots of things I learned off the pitch about the social media and commercial aspects of it.
“I think that makes you a more rounded manager because you realise what happens in a football club.
“As a coach and a player you just turn up, you train and go to games. You don’t understand the complexities and the little things that can stop a match going ahead on a Saturday, and just how hard people work off the pitch to make the club run and work.
“There was always something deep in the back of my mind, that there may well be another opportunity, but it had to be something that excited me and something special to drag me away from Hearts.
“This club is something special and this challenge is something special. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Robertson was only 38 when he was handed his first management job by Caley Jags in 2002, replacing Steve Paterson.
Now 52, Robertson believes he has come of age, adding: “What you see in front of you from the manager that left is a more experienced manager, a more rounded and mature manager as well.
“I was a bit of a wildcard in my earlier days. It’s certainly calmer now but don’t perceive that calmness for a lack of passion because that’s there.
“That’s burning, and in the last couple of days that’s returned. I woke up this morning buzzing, pumped and ready to go and ready to start work.”
