SUPERMARINE joint manager Matt Robinson believes his future lies in football management, and the defender is happy to cut his managerial teeth at Marine.

Robinson and co-boss Gary Horgan accepted the top job at the Webb’s Wood Stadium on a long-term basis yesterday and the former Portsmouth man then told the Advertiser his playing days were coming to an end.

And although he feels there is at least one more season left in his tank, the defender cannot wait to get stuck into the cut-throat world of the football manager.

“Management is the next step if you want to stay in football,” he said.

“I feel fit enough (to play) another season and I think I can manage another one, but when you get older you start to feel it.

“This is an opportunity to have a proper go from the start of the season and we’re looking forward to it.”

Robinson admitted he and Horgan has taken considerable time discussing the offer to take up the reigns permanently in South Marston.

The pair have been in charge at Marine since February, overseeing a difficult transitional phase as several key first-team players left the club.

But despite a run of eight games without a win through March and early April, three successive victories have brought the 2010/11 season to a satisfactory close.

However, with limited financial resources at their disposal, Robinson is aware of the nature of the task at hand as he faces up to the challenges ahead over the summer.

“We are working with a small budget and with that we need to try and attract players who can make an impact for us,” he said.

“Obviously when we took over before it was in the middle of the season and we had the players in place. This time it will be more difficult because we have to sort all that out.

“It took a lot of though from Gary and myself before we agreed.

“It’s not a case of signing contracts or anything like that, we are just going to see how it goes and hopefully it’s all positive”

One thing Robinson and Horgan will be avoiding at all cost is rash declarations of intent ahead of the new term.

The new joint manager is more than happy to quietly build a side capable of competing at Southern Premier League level, but would rather keep his ambitions at bay for the moment.

“I think any talk about trying to get promotion is all a bit foolish,” he said.

“We want to look around for players, discuss what needs to be strengthened and go from there.”