Coventry City sack long-serving manager Mark Robins

Coventry City F. C. have sacked their manager, Mark Robins, on Nov 7, following a 2-1 home loss to Midlands rivals Derby County. The announcement came as a shock to a number of Coventry City fans, who regard his time in charge of the club as a resounding success.

Robins was first appointed in 2012 before leaving for Huddersfield Town in 2013. His second stint at the club began in 2017, during which he won the EFL Trophy and promotion twice.

He led Coventry to their first promotion in 51 years after winning the League Two playoffs in 2018. He broke numerous club records along the way, including their most points in a league season since the rules were altered in 1981.

Coventry were again promoted in 2020, this time as League One winners, having lost just three games all league season.

In their third consecutive Championship season, Robins led them to a fifth-place finish and an unfortunate defeat to Luton Town on penalties in the playoff final.

Last season, Coventry narrowly missed out on a spot in the FA Cup Final after a loss on penalties to Manchester United. In their first such semi-final since 1987, Coventry recovered from 3-0 down in the last twenty minutes, and had a 121^st minute winner ruled out for a marginal offside in extra time.

The Sky Blues currently sit 17^th in the Championship

Sky Sports EFL Editor Simeon Gholam said: “What Robins has done […] has been little short of miraculous. If anyone deserved more time, and a shaky start to the season […] it was him. It is an extremely controversial decision to dismiss him […] Many will argue the new owners should have felt privileged to even still have Robins at their club.”

The Sky Blues currently sit 17^th in the Championship having won just four of the opening fourteen games. They are equal on points to Plymouth Argyle in 18^th, but are also only seven points from the playoff places.

In a statement posted to the club website, the decision was described as “difficult” and something “not taken lightly”.

Rhys Carr has since been appointed Interim Head Coach

“Mark masterminded and built several teams […] that outperformed their budget, outperformed their infrastructure and brought back a playing style, credibility and belief to our City that had been lost and eroded over many years. […] Mark’s achievements at the Sky Blues, often against a backdrop of uncertainty and financial restrictions, will see him remembered and lauded as one of the Club’s greatest ever managers”.

Despite this, the board felt “the performance of the team over an extended period” had “just not been good enough” to warrant his staying on.

Rhys Carr has since been appointed Interim Head Coach while the club search for a permanent managerial replacement.