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Personally, I'm happy with Robbo coming back - he ticks most of the boxes for me. Bit of a left-field choice, mind.. 1). He is (obviously, given he lives here!), willing to be based up here, 2). Not an untried manager - previous experience at this level (again, obviously, given season 2003-04!), so less of a risk. 3). Enthusiastic & keen personality. More so than some of the other candidates mentioned! 4). Has, I think, a genuine affinity with ICT & the Highlands in general. In short, someone who is a good 'fit' for us. Would have been happy enough with Sheerin, but maybe Robbo is less of a 'risky appointment'? And Danny Lennon, who is, probably, a decent manager, didn't exactly fill me with excitement... Welcome back Robbo!!

Hey, if Robbo is a success again, then great. And I'll be rooting for him in the same way I would have done for any new manager (unless Brewster had been brought back for a third go!!!) But how many 'political' appointments as manager tend to be successes? Not many. I would rather our manager was an outstanding candidate, rather than somebody's mate. And there is nothing on Robbo's recent (or not-so-recent) managerial CV to suggest he was an outstanding candidate. The whole process raises concerns about the way Inverness Caledonian Thistle is run. And I think that it's pretty reasonable for supporters to focus on those, as they are likely to have a big impact on the future of the club.

Whether you are for or against Robbo the decision has been made. It's time to now support him and at least give him a chance. Could be a success or failure only time will tell but until then let's all start to get behind the club we all have so much passion for. WELCOME BACK ROBBO

None of these are really relevant. 1 - Most of our managers, since Steve Paterson, have been in place for less than two years. Butcher was here for just under five years and Hughes for two and a half but generally football management isn't a long term job. We've done well in the past by letting managers go at the right time and moving on. The idea that we need someone who lives here doesn't hold out. 2 - His experience at this level is over a decade ago. Ian McCall and Jimmy Calderwood both had teams finish in the top half of the SPL the season that Robertson won the league with us. Alan Kernaghan almost took Clyde to the title. Imagine we'd appointed one of them. Also, post-ICT his experience is pretty much constant failure. 3 - We are recruiting a football manager not a Butlins redcoat. Maybe his attitude will be a positive but ability is more important. 4 - As above, ability is what matters not whether they live here or have an affinity with the Highlands, whatever that means. I have a genuine affinity with ICT and have spent a great deal of my life living in the Highlands, should I get the job? I hope he succeeds but people shouldn't be blinded by hope. He's someone who's proved limited during his career and doesn't have any recent experience. We need to rebuild out squad and team and freshen the club up. We've appointed someone who we are hoping succeed because he's been here before and lives in Inverness. It might work but it's disappointing. If it turns out that he's been appointed because certain people are wanting to get more involved in the club again then that is worse, tbh.

There may be legitimate concerns but, rather than focussing on those, why don't we just give the man a chance ?

I'm concerned about this as well. I find it extraordinary that the quality of applicant was so poor that we instead headhunted a guy who hasn't managed a club in 5 years, hasn't managed a Full Time club in 10 years, and who hasn't had any sort of managerial success in 13 years. The whole process stinks of 'politics' as stated here, or sheer laziness; do the board not realize that there are other options beyond reappointing former employees?

He's said he wants to play fast attacking football, exactly what Foran said when he was appointed. I'd quite like a manager who said "I want to play slow, defensive unexciting football" just for something different.

I sincerely hope there is no truth in that. These are exactly the type of committed players we need to have at the heart of our team if we are to have any hope of a quick return to the Premiership.

All in all I think we are on the up. Now it is the Fans turn to show a united front.

Before Yogi left. Our teams style and performance dipped considerably in his first year and further again last season. Our defence became laughable. The Malpas came in and the whole organisation of the team seems to improve dramatically. Maybe he's just unfortunate in that he's the common denominator but I just feel that a completely fresh coaching team would be preferable. Hopefully being a league down allows us to try our likes of Brown etc in first team. And we are also able to locate a few players released from other SPL teams.

Welcome back Robbo! I'm actually quite excited by this, I know he hasn't done much in a few years now but I still think he has a better pedigree than Sheerin. We can start looking forward to the signings now and only a couple weeks until the friendlies start rolling in. I had a worry that we wouldn't be good enough for top 4 this season but I'm now confident Robbo is the man to get us there in what will be a very tough league. He brought in some excellent players last time and I don't see why that would be any different now.

Whenever you hear of a club making an appointment like this, you always hear the immortal line 'He knows the club' like that is inherently a good thing. I'm not so sure about that. Obviously it depends on the character and the situation, but knowing the club isn't always a positive. Sometimes the best thing is to rid yourself of the old boys network and bring in an outsider with fresh ideas, fresh contacts and a fresh vision for the way ahead. In the long run, the club benefitted massively from Butcher's presence and the way he brought in new hungry players from outside the area, rather Scottish clogger journeymen. Foran on the other hand probably knew the club too well. So yes, 'knowing the club' is one thing but I don't know it's always the positive many claim it to be.

Source? OFW, Raven and Warren all contracted for next season I don't understand all the negative feelings towards Rice. I have heard he is a good coach. Have I missed something or are we guilty of blaming him for RFs failings? Did he become a bad coach before or after Yogi left?

IF true then I will wish him well. He did a good job for us before, got us up to the top division in the first place, and put both the club directors and the SPL on the spot when it came to our eventual promotion to the top league and our groundshare with Aberdeen. The fact that he left us to go to Hearts was no surprise given his playing history so no bad feelings there, and anytime I have seen him speak of ICT it has always been in a positive manner. He was also very personable with the fans. If he has ruffled a few executive feathers along the way then so what ... ALL of our managers have done that at some point ... and some way more than others ! I will wait for the official confirmation but this "surprise" candidate is a far better choice than some of the names mentioned IMHO. Paul Sheerin's time will come at ICT and I am only guessing here but perhaps our board did not want to put a club legend with limited managerial experience into the hotseat to replace another club legend with limited managerial experience for fear of the same outcome? He may not have been in a managerial position for a while but Robbo's experience cannot be said to be limited and his record at ICT was pretty good (44 wins in 82 games).

issue being a lot of the younger players, including Jason Brown have been let go....think this is a bit of a missed opportunity tbh. we really need to improve our record on bringing through youth players. especially given our precarious financial position, a Ryan Christie every other year would be handy.

Much is being made of the fact that Robbo has not managed in many years, but he has not been out of the game working within the Hearts set up and I would prefer him to Sheerin who again has not managed for a few years. Robbo will know of some good youngsters who I am sure he will probably bring in as well as some experienced players, and I think his name and stature in the game is more likely to attract players than that of Sheerin ( I have nothing against him) Many going on about the cheap option but remember our financial situation do you want to have what we cannot afford and finish up without a club, and the only way we can help that is to get out and support the club and yes most people on this Forum do that , but where are the missing thousands that can attend cup finals!!!! maybe we should be encouraging them to come along So lets all get behind Robbo and get the team back to the Premier League where we belong

This will not improve things for the vast majority of clubs. What would improve Scottish football is the replacement of Neil Doncaster with a chief executive who is interested in the welfare of all clubs not just the toxic two.

Personally I wish Robbo the very best of luck and I hope he can put the mojo back into this club. I applaud the decision to retain Brian Rice and Kel who to me seem to be very good coaches. Robbo will need them both functioning at 100%. I am however at a loss to hear that Warren and Raven are no longer required - where this came from GOK. We are short of players as it is. IMO we still need a director of football as I feel Robbo will struggle dealing direct with a board which has absolutely no football experience.

Some may disagree with it, many may regard it as the cheap option but the fact is we have a new manager and a very challenging season ahead. Time to put any divisions behind us from board room, to dressing room, to the stands and all push in the same direction to stabilise the club and regain our place in the top league.

If it is John Robertson then all I can opine to the Board is "What took you so long?" J, Robertson has been in my mind for quite a long time although his name was rarely mentioned.in despatches. Experienced, enthusiastic with a bit of a temper as I recall -- at least the latter quality shows that he CARES. . Good luck John if you get the job.

No place for our cup winning manager John Yogi Hughes

It has become apparent that Robbo has been assembling a crack squad and training has started already.

There is no doubt about Robbo's passion for the game and his attachment to Inverness. One of his merits, and I trust it still is, was his in-depth knowledge of the Scottish scene, including youth football and the lower leagues. So maybe that is what swung it for him, given we have to rebuild a team, and I hope he can do exactly that. The thing is nobody knows when you hire a new manager if they will be a success, but we have to support him and see what the new season brings. Certainly it is more hopeful than keeping the last incumbent.

I liked Robbo and the style of play from his team when he was with us. He was inspirational in the run in to Helicopter Saturday and we've as much chance of repeating that with him at the helm again as we would have with any of the other names bandied about over the past few weeks - and better than most. If you are coming back Robbo then welcome, I wish you well.

Recall the old terrace talk that Savage and Sutherland were at loggerheads over Robbo's return to the club. Such rumours are normally the figment of a pub bores imagination - but here we are! The man did a fine job for us before and has made Inverness his home. Some might say football has moved on - tactics, training methods, stats etc. Certainly at the top level this is the case where every player is World Class and it's all about small margins. But at our level? Come on. I'd rather have a seasoned, experienced bona fide Scottish football legend who's been there, done it, got the t-shirt managing our club than some one-dimensional rookie coach armed only with a laptop and a passing drills textbook.

Ye surprised with that appointment but can defo see it working out well! No doubts robbos got a few contacts for players coyc

Come on Manny, its hardly an inspired appointment is it? What exactly has he done since he left us? Last club East Fife in 2012.

Well said Davie. Good to see someone 'in the know' sticking up for CaleyD. I'm sure all the hard work he put in, for no reward, is appreciated by many, if not all, of us. He will be a hard act to follow, even if the multitude of tasks he performed for ICT, might in the future fall under the responsibility of a paid employee.

As part of that media team for a long time, I can safely say that without @CaleyD there would have been no media presence at the club and what you are getting now is what you would always have had - or worse. Another guy who took nothing out of the club - no pay, no freebies, nothing. Someone who drove the team all over the country in his own car, sometimes at his own cost. A guy who drove a clapped out club minibus to Charlton and back with @ANDYCAM. Someone who singlehandedly got the team progressing from written previews and reports to pre and post match video and then on to match coverage with commentary. Someone who occasionally bought equipment that was needed. Someone who put our club twitter account into the realms of national coverage and recognition and facilitated the main star of that twitter account into accomplishing things that he never thought he could. (In the spirit of the "stig", that bit will remain cryptic) Put the club and CJT's web pages together and maintained them. All of this was done in circumstances that were far from ideal, sometimes with little cooperation and appreciation and occasionally at detriment to his health. Of course, being club media, it was never our job to hold the players or manager to account. We were there to support and the MSM could do the other stuff. It has been difficult sometimes to see the carping and personalised rubbish written on here and directed by people who, if they had put in half of @CaleyDs effort would have made a real difference to the club and it's suppporters. Still, it's easier to snipe. As @Fraz says, sometimes you just don't know what you've got until it's gone. Thanks for a great experience Don. You'll be missed.

Hugely underwhelmed if its Robbo. Sadly I see this as a step backwards by the club. Opting for an ex-manager who hasn't worked in almost 10 years, if this was another clubs such as Dundee opting for Jocky Scott or Aberdeen for Alex Smith we'd all be laughing and saying how that club lacked ambition, living in the past and opting for an out of touch manager rather than look to someone progressive. I hope there are genuine football reasons and its not a cheap option for someone who is within the circle of some kind of old boys network. Until there is official conformation I hope this is just speculation gone wild as is the claims above we are telling senior players to leave. While I'm not enthused about the squad so far, its adequate to perform in the Championship and get a play-off spot at least - releasing key players when we have time running out could be suicidal for the clubs ambitions of promotion any time soon. Tomorrow better bring some clarity as this is all starting to look like a mess on all fronts if these rumors are true.

Good idea IMO, for what it's worth. Many years ago our reserve team played the FREE Highland League Team and it certainly helped our young lads along the way.

We're in need of a big rebuild. Has Robertson ever actually build a side? As mentioned previously, he did well here with Steve Paterson's team (and added Bingham who he was big friends with) and he doesn't seem to be at teams long enough to truly build his own team. In fact, has he ever been at a club longer than two years? I don't *think* he has.

Have locked this thread. Robbo's return is being fully discussed on the 'New Manager ' thread. No point in duplication.