Coventry sack longest-serving EFL boss Robins

Mark Robins first managed Coventry in 2012

Coventry City boss Mark Robins, the English Football League's longest serving manager, has been sacked by the Championship club.

Robins, 54, was in his second spell as Sky Blues boss, having returned to the club in March 2017 after the sacking of Russell Slade.

His departure in the wake of Wednesday's defeat by Derby County comes after just four wins in 14 Championship games this season that leaves the Sky Blues 17th in the table and equal on points with Plymouth in the relegation spots.

Robins' sacking comes just over 17 months since he got the Sky Blues to within one win of a Premier League return, with Coventry beaten by Luton Town on penalties in the Championship play-off final in May 2023.

And it was only in April that Coventry were denied a place in the FA Cup final by Manchester United on penalties after a stunning turnaround from 3-0 down by Robins' side.

"The club is well aware that this is a difficult moment after over seven very successful years at the helm and this decision is not taken lightly," Coventry City said in a statement on their website.

"The performance of the team over an extended period, however, has just not been good enough and as such the board of the club has decided to make an immediate change in leadership."

While defeat by Derby was Coventry's seventh in the league this season, it was their first in four games - a run that included back-to-back wins against Luton Town and Middlesbrough.

First-team coach Rhys Carr has been placed in interim charge for Saturday's game against leaders Sunderland.

Former Manchester United striker Robins signed a new four-year contract in May 2023, but he was forced to part with his long-time number two Adi Viveash this summer, as the club appointed ex-Sky Blues midfielder George Boateng and Wolves development coach Carr to form a reshaped backroom team.

In the top four tiers of English football, only Manchester City's Pep Guardiola has lasted longer than Robins' seven years, eight months and one day.

Simon Weaver has spent 15 years with Harrogate Town, but most of it before the League Two club entered the EFL.

Former Rotherham, Barnsley, Huddersfield and Scunthorpe manager Robins has taken charge of 780 matches in his managerial career - more than half of which have been with the Sky Blues.

He enjoyed 171 wins in 420 games at the helm, of which 17 came in his first period in charge between September 2012, when he succeeded Andy Thorn, and February 2013, when Robins left to join Huddersfield.

Success despite off-the-field uncertainty

Coventry staged a dramatic comeback to beat Wolves in their FA Cup quarter-final last season to set up their semi-final with Manchester United

Coventry's struggles at the start of this campaign are in marked contrast to the success largely experienced in Robins' second spell.

A month after replacing Slade, Robins took City to Wembley, winning the EFL Trophy, before returning to the stadium for the League Two play-off final, which they won, beating Exeter 3-1, to win promotion to League One.

The club's first promotion in more than half a century was then followed by another in 2019-20 as the 'homeless' Sky Blues won the League One title in the Covid-curtailed season at their base at Birmingham City's St Andrew's off the back of a 14-game unbeaten run.

After finishing 16th and 12th, Coventry came within one game of ending their then 22-year exile from the Premier League when they lost to Luton in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.

Then came last season's run in the FA Cup where they lost an epic semi-final to eventual winners Manchester United in the club's fourth visit to Wembley under Robins.

Much of Robins' success was achieved despite years of uncertainty and upheaval off the field that culminated in a change of ownership of the club's landlords at the CBS Arena followed by the sale of the club itself to businessman Doug King in January 2023.

Robins' 'achievements will never be forgotten'

In their statement announcing Robins’ departure, Coventry said he would be "remembered and lauded as one of the club's greatest ever managers".

"There is no doubt that Coventry City would not be where it is today without the inspired actions of Mark and his team," the statement continued.

"Mark masterminded and built several teams over that time 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.

"These achievements will never be forgotten by those who witnessed such deeds and the broader community that once again began to rekindle their affection for our club."

Last season's faltering challenge for a play-off place came off the back of City's FA Cup exploits as a run of one point from the last six games left the club nine points off the top six, in ninth.

Nevertheless, expectation going into this campaign was high, backed up by record season-ticket sales, a revamp of the training facilities and several new signings, including winger Jack Rudoni from Huddersfield and West Bromwich Albion striker Brandon Thomas-Asante.

But Robins' side struggled. A win against promoted Oxford in their first home game of the season was one of only two from their first 11 league matches.

However, a brief turnaround in form, which included beating a Luton side that was relegated from the Premier League last season and a comprehensive win at Middlesbrough, was not enough to save his job.