St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson is “shocked” that David Healy is still plying his trade in the Irish League after a trophy-laden seven years as Linfield boss.
Healy, who has won five league titles and 10 trophies overall since being appointed to the post in 2015, has made no secret of his desire to eventually manage in England or Scotland.
And Robinson believes his former Northern Ireland teammate should be on the radar of cross-channel clubs given the “fantastic” job he has done at Windsor Park.
Read more: Linfield boss David Healy plays down central chat prior to Robbie McDaid's Big Two switch
“David has put together a very good side at Linfield and I’m amazed people have overlooked him for jobs across the water,” said Robinson after Saturday’s 2-1 friendly win over the Blues.
“He’s a friend of mine and I might be a little bit biased, but it’s fantastic (the job he has done at Linfield). He has constantly done what has been asked of him in a high pressure job.
“As soon as you lose a game here, you’re getting booed and people want you out, but Linfield have got a brilliant manager. Every year he’s consistently proved he’s a very good manager.”
While Robinson is surprised Healy hasn’t been snapped up by a cross channel club, he also believes the 42-year-old boasts stability at Linfield, a commodity in short supply in the volatile world of football management in England and Scotland.
“When you look at the set-up here at the National Stadium and the training facilities, it would have to be a decent club that’s better than Linfield,” he said.
“Linfield have a very good set-up and Dave is happy, he enjoys his work and sometimes that’s more than going across the water and getting a six month gig at it.
“People know how good he is here, so perhaps he wants to stay here, but you’ll have to ask him that question.”
Robinson was speaking after his St Mirren side beat Linfield 2-1 at Windsor Park, five days after a 3-0 win over Irish Cup winners Crusaders at Seaview.
Asked what he had learned from his trip to Northern Ireland, he said: “I learned a lot. The Irish League is a good standard and Linfield are a very good side. They’re going into Europe and we knew it would be a very good test.
“We can play a lot better and be a lot sharper, but it was a good test for us and also good preparation for Linfield going into Europe and we wish them well with that.”
Linfield face Welsh champions The New Saints in the first leg of their first qualifying round of the Champions League in Oswestry on Tuesday night.
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