Robinson joins Boro as First Team Opposition Analyst

Joe Robinson has left Blackburn after almost three years to join Middlesbrough as First Team Opposition Analyst.

Robinson was Lead Performance Analyst at Blackburn, having previously been an Academy Performance Analyst at Manchester United.

At Boro, he will report to Head of Performance Analysis Nathan Kirby as part of Kim Hellberg’s first-team staff. Robinson started work at the club’s Rockliffe Park training ground last week.

Boro advertised the role in July, after a reshuffle of their analysis department. Kirby, who joined as Lead Opposition Analyst in the summer of 2024, stepped up to lead the department when Jack Riley left to become First Team Performance Analyst at Manchester United, reuniting with former Boro Head Coach Michael Carrick.

Announcing his exit from Blackburn on LinkedIn, Robinson wrote: “After almost three years, my chapter at Blackburn Rovers Football Club has come to a close and what a ride it has been.

“With the privilege of representing the club, I am fortunate to have met and worked with some outstanding people throughout my time, going through all the lows and the highs!”

Last November, Robinson spoke to TGG about Blackburn’s use of CoachCart, a 75-inch outdoor touchscreen mounted on an electric buggy. Drone footage of training was beamed live onto the screen, so coaches could show players clips without taking them off the pitch.

“Especially during set pieces, I just drive the Cart straight onto the pitch,” he said at the time.

Boro also appointed former Swansea City Sporting Director Paul Watson to the new role of Chief Technical Officer at the end of October.