FORMER Oxford United boss Karl Robinson has been appointed head coach of Sky Bet League Two strugglers Salford City.

Robinson was sacked by the U’s on February 26 after suffering a seventh defeat in eight matches, when United lost 3-0 at home to Bristol Rovers.

That result left the club 17th in the third tier, and six points above the drop zone.

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Salford chief executive, the former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt, welcomed Robinson to the Ammies in a club statement.

He told the Salford website: “We are delighted to welcome Karl to Salford City as our new head coach.

“Throughout the interview and appointment process he impressed us with his wealth of knowledge and ability.

“Salford City’s ambition is to play as high up in the Football League as possible so when we entered the recruitment process, we felt it was important for us to appoint someone with experience of managing at a higher level, and Karl’s long-term vision for the club, drive and determination excited us.”

Salford sit 21st in League Two, five points above the relegation places.

The Ammies have lost seven out of their last nine games in the league, with former head coach Neil Wood sacked two days after a 5-1 defeat at home to Tranmere Rovers on Boxing Day.

Robinson took over as head coach at United in March 2018, exactly two months after Pep Clotet was sacked.

He kept the club in the third tier, before leading them to 12th in his first full season during the 2018/19 campaign.

The following season was interrupted by Covid-19, but the U’s reached the play-off final, where they lost to Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley.

Another unsuccessful play-off push the following year saw United lose out to Blackpool in the semi-finals.

In his final full season, Robinson led the side to eighth in League One.

After leaving the U’s, Robinson then joined Leeds United in May as assistant manager to former Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce, but the duo and Robbie Keane were unable to save the Elland Road outfit from relegation to the Championship last season.

Robinson’s appointment at Salford represents his first managerial job since getting the sack at United.