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"It's a test but it's been really enjoyable. I'm pretty pleased with the what we've achieved so far." - Coventry City's Mark Venus

1 October 2015

Club News

"It's a test but it's been really enjoyable. I'm pretty pleased with the what we've achieved so far." - Coventry City's Mark Venus

1 October 2015

In his first interview with ccfc.co.uk, Mark Venus has reviewed his first four months with the Sky Blues following the transfer window...

Having settled into his new role as Technical Director, Mark Venus is proud of the work he and his team has accomplished in his first four months.

The former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Ipswich Town defender joined the club in the summer taking on the role of Technical Director as part of Tony Mowbray's staff.

It was a role which didn't previously exist at the club with Venus' main responsibility to overlook the football operation and build a recruitment network across the country and beyond for the Sky Blues.

Reviewing his first four months at the club, Venus is proud of the relationships the club has already made with other football clubs as well as his relationship with the club's owners.

City's Technical Director said: "It's been a new role for me and I've gone about it in a way that I felt was the right way to do it. 

"I'm pretty pleased with some of the things which have happened, especially some of the relationships we've built up with other football clubs who are willing to let their young talent come to Coventry.

"I've also had a good relationship with the owners and the people who run the football club. I feel that they've took me on board since the first minute and allowed me to get on with the job.

"It's a test working with the budget but it's definitely enjoyable. I think it's something I really enjoy to be honest and I can get a lot out of it. We've got to try and put the best football team on the pitch within the perimeters we've been set."

As part of his role, Venus helped bring back Ray Gooding to the club as a scout, who had previously worked at the club's Academy and before that, Centre of Excellence.

With Ray also being a former City player, Venus stressed the importance of bringing people into the club who care about the Sky Blues.

He continued: "When the previous manager left, the scouting structure did as well so we started this season without any scouts at all. I've put a system in where we've got a set of scouts who can cover as much grass as possible for us.

"Also, I want to sell the football club back to the people who've worked here or support the football club. We were delighted to bring back Ray Gooding who is a good man, a Coventry City man and those people are important."

During the summer, the club made several high profile loan signings, Ryan Kent from Liverpool and Adam Armstrong from Newcastle United, despite interest from Championship clubs.

Venus believes other clubs place a lot of trust in City boss Mowbray to get the right players but has also stressed how important the crowds are in getting the players into the club.

Venus added: "I think a lot of people in football have a lot of respect for Tony and Me so when they send their players here, they know they're going to be in good hands.

"The way Tony's teams play is also a big attraction as we'll always try and play the way their first-teams would play. Bottom line is that those clubs know their players will get the right experience here.

"We've got a business plan and the more the crowds come in, the more money we get to play with and put on the field so it's been great to see the crowds come and watch and we really do appreciate it.

"We hope they keep coming and keep turning up as the money will come to us in the end and will make us a better team, pushing up and out of the league."

Read Part Two of the Mark Venus interview tomorrow...

Listen to the interview on Sky Blues Player below...


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