Coventry City Captain Emotionally Speaks Up After Sacking Of ‘Club Legend’ Mark Robins

Coventry City captain Ben Sheaf says the players were still “fully backing” former manager Mark Robins who, he insists, will remain a club legend.

The Sky Blues skipper has revealed that the decision to sack him came as a surprise to the players and that they feel responsible for his departure amid the disappointing start to the new Championship season.

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.”

Sheaf missed the game at the Stadium of Light because of a foot 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.”