Loyalty is a word that is often used in football, but today could prove that it is truly gone forever.
Coventry City Chairman Doug King made the “difficult” decision to sack manager Mark Robins after 7 years at the club.
At that time, Robins led Coventry to promotion from League 2 at the first attempt, the League One title, stabilisation in the championship, a penalty kick away from the Premier League, and, last season, a penalty shootout away from the FA Cup final.
Indeed, all that means is that Robins had enough credit in the bank to warrant a little trust and faith after a slow start this season. Not.
The Sky Blues are on the lookout for their first new manager since 2017, and this could be a decision that makes or breaks Doug King’s tenure as Coventry owner. The fans are outraged, as most wanted Robins to stay on. If the new manager doesn’t hit the ground running, there is only one way the fans’ anger will be directed: to King himself.
Coventry City are often slow starters but have proved in previous seasons that they can turn it around, and some would think that after another summer of upheaval, King would have granted Robins more time to fix the issues. On the eve of the season, Robins’ trusted right-hand man, assistant manager Adi Viveash, was replaced with four new assistant coaches, including former Sky Blues midfielder George Boateng. This was part of Doug King’s restructuring of the club, but after many former Coventry players openly praised Viveash, many fans wondered if it wasn’t broken, why did King try and fix it?
Yes, results haven’t gone the way anyone would have wanted this season, and if we look long term, Coventry’s results have been poor since the FA Cup Semi-Final against Manchester United.
But two seasons ago, Coventry was flying high with Viktor Gyokores and Gustavo Hamer, two players that King had sold and never replaced. Yes, Ellis Simms and Haji Wright came in and scored goals, but the work rate, passion and love for the club just aren’t there from many of the current crops of players.
We are led to believe that Robins himself wanted to sign some experience this summer to help guide the Sky Blues’ young squad, but King and the recruitment team blocked that as it didn’t fit the club’s new business model. That was after the club let go of stalwarts like Kyle McFadzean and Matty Godden, along with long-time club captain Liam Kelly.
You could say Robins was a sitting duck. A backroom staff that he didn’t appoint, an assistant manager fired just weeks before the start of the new season and a squad stripped of any experience and leadership.
Robins was a popular figure among players and fans. Doug King is an owner who didn’t appoint the manager and may feel he would never have had complete control at the club while Robins was in charge. The club wants “ a new head coach to fit into the structure created over the last two years.” This shows King wants to be in charge and have a head coach working under him.
A massive few days ahead for the Coventry owner who needs this appointment to work.