The City boss has also said there are always difficult decisions at the end of a season after releasing the retained list...
Coventry City manager Tony Mowbray believes Sam Ricketts and Marcus Tudgay could have a future coaching role in their careers.
The City boss had separate meetings with all players in the squad, including Under-21s players, on Monday before releasing the retained list.
Mowbray will enter talks with striker Marcus Tudgay and defender Sam Ricketts over the summer to extend their stay at the club after an impressive impact during the 2015/16 season.
Mowbray believes the pair could help mentor young professionals in the dressing room as well as having an impact on the pitch.
The City boss said: "Well, it's all about what their future ambitions are. The likes of Sam Ricketts and Marcus Tudgay might be looking to the future and a potential coaching career.
"I can see them mentoring the young players in the squad. They would have responsibilities and have opinions in the group sessions, and maybe even take some sessions.
"However, they do have to contribute on the pitch. Marcus has done that when he has come in with five goals in six starts and Sam did that consistently last season.
"We need important characters at the club and in the dressing room. I think you judge your dressing room on your senior professionals and they have to be good people."
The City boss decided to release ten players at the end of the 2015/16 season, including the likes of Conor Thomas, Jim O'Brien, Reda Johnson and Aaron Martin.
Mowbray said there were some difficult decisions but that is part of being a football manager.
He added: "I've been letting players go at clubs for a number of years, it's part of the role and my responsibility.
"It's important you talk to the player, explain the decision either way and tell them where the future lies for them, whether it's here or elsewhere.
"Sometimes the players see it coming, sometimes they don't. As the manager, I've got to do what feels right for the club.
"At the end of the day, it's my decision which matters and that is part of the business."