Mark Robins, the third longest-serving manager in English football, has been sacked by Coventry City after almost eight years.
The Sky Blues have pulled the plug on the 54-year-old after Wednesday night’s 2-1 home defeat by Derby County, which left 17 in the Championship Table.
Robins joined the club in 2017 and took them from League Two to the Championship – and one game away from the Premier League in 2023 where they were beaten 1-0 by Luton in the second tier play-off final.
He also led the club to the semi-finals of the FA Cup last season, where they were beaten on penalties by Manchester United.
But after Wednesday night’s 2-1 home defeat to Midlands rival Derby they announced on Friday morning that Robins had been fired.
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Watch highlights from the Robins’ last game in charge of Coventry
“Mark masterminded and built several teams at a time that outperformed their budget, outperformed infrastructure and brought back playing style, credibility and confidence to our city that has been lost and eroded over many years,” the statement read.
“The achievement will not be forgotten by those who witnessed such an act and the wider community who have rekindled their love for our club.
“There is no doubt that Coventry City would not be where it is today without the inspirational actions of Mark and his team.
“The club understands that these are difficult times after more than seven successful years at the helm and this decision is not taken lightly.
“The team’s performance for a long time, however, has not been good enough and the club’s board has decided to change the leadership.”
Robins quotes after the last game: I am responsible for the result
Coventry boss Mark Robins on Wednesday night:
“What’s frustrating for me and everyone watching is, of course, one minute we’re at a very high level, and then a few days later we’re a mile away. .
“We should have won the game. We had players with very good talent and we didn’t perform at the level we wanted.
“If they play at the level they want against a team that works as hard as Derby, then the socks to try to prevent us from playing, deny us space, and also have a little quality and when they do. they are a threat and a decent team.
“They put pressure on us and we played the ball backwards and invited. The back pass from Jack (Rudoni) was not what it used to be, but we scored in the end and took the lead.
“The intensity is just not there. You have to move the ball quickly and try to switch quickly. We tried to play the same way as Middlesbrough, but it’s a different game.
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Highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Middlesbrough and Coventry City
“I am responsible, I am responsible for all the results. Tonight was not good enough.”
‘Robins deserves more time… as many people deserve endless time’
Sky Sports EFL Editor Simeon Gholam:
“I remember sitting in the belly of Wembley in the press conference room at the beginning of April 2017.
“Mark Robins had just returned to the club for a few weeks, taking over as they spiraled into League Two. A fan base that had no hope, but felt what looked like the end when they beat Oxford to win the EFL Cup.
“In his second stint at the club, amid ownership issues, stadium issues and everything in between, Robins said he could bring Coventry back to the same level.
“He then took them back to League One at the first time of asking, finished sixth and won the play-offs in 2018. It was their first promotion in 51 years.
“The Robins then stabilized him in League One, before sealing promotion to the Championship in 2020. It was an unparalleled success. He then had to cope with playing away from his home stadium due to continued off-field problems in 2020/21, but still joined. his position in second level.
“After that, against all odds, they took Coventry on penalties in the Premier League in 2023, and earlier this year came within inches of the FA Cup final – the tightest offside call costing them a 4-3 win against Manchester United.
“What Robins has done during his long time in charge of the Sky Blues has been a little short of miraculous. If someone deserves more time, and a shaky start to the season – the first shaky stint in literally almost a decade at the helm. – it’s him.
“It was a very controversial decision to take him out, because you don’t know where he would be without him.
