Coventry City

The former Manchester United striker has signed a three-year-deal with the club after a three-week search for a new manager.

Robins, 42, has already developed a strong reputation in football as a manager after spells with Rotherham United and Barnsley.

He came close to taking the Millers to promotion in 2008/09 despite a 17-point deduction and when he left the following season, Rotherham were top of the table.

Robins was manager of Barnsley between 2009 and 2011 and maintained their Championship status before departing in May, last year.

He said: “This is a great opportunity. Coventry is a club with great tradition and, although we find ourselves in League One, the squad that has been assembled is better than the results so far have shown. 

“I am relishing the opportunity to turn things around and bring better times for the Sky Blues supporters.

“There is a lot to be done and I will get straight to work with the players and backroom staff.”

Development director Steve Waggott said: “We are delighted to announce Mark Robins as our new manager.

“While we understand the supporters’ anxiety over recent results, this was an appointment that simply couldn’t be rushed because it is key to the short term and the long term of the football club.

“In fact, considering the thoroughness of the process, we are pleased that within three weeks we have been able to whittle down 75 candidates to the one outstanding man for the job and that was Mark, who was categorically our first choice.”

 

Richard Shaw and Lee Carsley will now revert to their roles as assistant manager and first team coach.

Waggott added: “We cannot thank Richard and Lee enough for their work over the past three weeks.”

Robins’ acceptance of his new role with the Sky Blues brings to an end a consultancy spell with the Premier League.

Robins had previously been working closely with a group of Premier League clubs on the Elite Player Performance Plan structure.