Coventry City’s Rudoni Focuses on Present Amid Manager Search

Coventry City midfielder Jack Rudoni stated that he and his teammates are focused on “remain[ing] in the present” while the club seeks its next manager, following Bobby Thomas’s 80th-minute equaliser, which came from Rudoni’s right-wing corner. Frank Lampard, a former star for Chelsea and England, is reportedly still the primary candidate to take over from Mark Robins. Additionally, Steve Round, who has held various positions with Newcastle United, Everton, Manchester United, Aston Villa, and England, and who left Arsenal in the summer, has now been mentioned in connection with a role within the Sky Blues’ new leadership structure. However, Rudoni informed BBC CWR, stating: “We don’t know who’s coming in, so all we can do is remain in the present.” He added, “The staff have been very good with us and tried not to make things too difficult.” Following the match, where his corner led to Bobby Thomas’s header for a late equaliser, securing a 2-2 draw for the Sky Blues against Sheffield United, Rudoni commented: “There is a big sense of frustration that we didn’t win.” He continued, “We just have to cut out conceding silly goals. But it was nice to get a good cross in for the goal. I’d had a few that weren’t as good. It’s not easy when you’re trying to miss out six-foot-six strikers. But it was a nice little finish from Bobby.” Coventry played the entire second half with a numerical advantage due to a red card issued to Blades defender Anel Ahmedhodzic during a late first-half incident involving City striker Norman Bassette. Chris Wilder, the Blades boss, accused the Belgian player, who was only in the lineup due to an injury to USA international Haji Wright, of gamesmanship, implying that Bassette had provoked Ahmedhodzic into losing his composure. Rudoni remarked about Bassette: “He’s got a bit of that side to him. But sometimes you need that from a striker. He’s a good lad. He cares. And he’s still learning. He’s young, energetic and he’s doing really well. He’s got a bright future and is a joy to play with.”