Sacked Robins remains Coventry 'legend' - Sheaf

Mark Robins consoles Coventry City captain Ben Sheaf after the team lost on penalties to Manchester United in last season's FA Cup semi-final

Coventry City captain Ben Sheaf says former manager Mark Robins will remain a "club legend" and the decision to sack him "surprised" the players.

Robins - who had been the Football League's longest-serving boss - was dismissed on Thursday after more than seven years in charge.

"It took us all by surprise, the gaffer has done an amazing job here," Sheaf told BBC CWR after the Sky Blues fought back from 2-0 down to snatch a late draw at Championship leaders Sunderland on Saturday.

"When things like that happen, you all feel responsible for it. The lads were fully backing the manager."

Coventry are 17th in the league table, one point above the relegation zone.

They appointed Rhys Carr as interim manager after Robins' sacking, with the former first-team coach also admitting that he was shocked by the decision.

Sheaf missed the game at the Stadium of Light because of injury, but was pleased to see the character shown by the Sky Blues.

"It was a difficult week, but I'm glad we managed to get a result," he said.

"Things like this happen in football, we have just got to learn from it I guess and just try [to] kick on."

The midfielder has been at the club since 2021 and was a member of the side that lost the 2023 Championship play-off final to Luton at Wembley.

Sheaf said: "It's quite clear that I've grown a lot under him. I owe him a lot.

"I'm super grateful for what he has done for me. He [gave] me the armband. I've got nothing but good things to say. I wish him all the best."

Having drawn with the Championship leaders, Coventry next face promotion-chasing Sheffield United at home on 23 November following the upcoming international break.

"It has probably come at a decent time. We can regroup, try to keep the good habits, and hopefully the results will come," added Sheaf.

"There is a lot of uncertainty about. You've just got to control what you can control until something happens or whoever is appointed is appointed."

"For the time being we are going to stay together, look after each other, that is all we can do."