Coventry Captain Ben Sheaf Calls Sacked Manager Mark Robins a ‘Club Legend’

Following the team’s penalty shootout loss to Manchester United in last season’s FA Cup semi-final, where Mark Robins was seen consoling Coventry City captain Ben Sheaf, Sheaf has now stated that the former manager will endure as a “club legend” and that the players were “surprised” by his dismissal. Robins, recognized as the Football League’s longest-serving manager, was terminated from his position on Thursday, having led the team for over seven years. “It took us all by surprise, the gaffer has done an amazing job here,” Sheaf informed BBC CWR after the Sky Blues achieved a late draw against Championship leaders Sunderland on Saturday, recovering from a 2-0 deficit. He added, “When things like that happen, you all feel responsible for it. The lads were fully backing the manager.” Coventry currently holds the 17th position in the league standings, maintaining a one-point lead over the relegation zone. Rhys Carr, the former first-team coach, was appointed as interim manager following Robins’ departure and also expressed his shock regarding the decision. Sheaf was absent from the match at the Stadium of Light due to an injury but expressed satisfaction with the resilience displayed by the Sky Blues. “It was a difficult week, but I’m glad we managed to get a result,” he commented. He further stated, “Things like this happen in football, we have just got to learn from it I guess and just try [to] kick on.” The midfielder joined the club in 2021 and was part of the squad that was defeated by Luton in the 2023 Championship play-off final at Wembley. Sheaf remarked: “It’s quite clear that I’ve grown a lot under him. I owe him a lot.” He continued, “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.” After their draw with the Championship leaders, Coventry is scheduled to play promotion-chasing Sheffield United at home on 23 November, following the forthcoming 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,” Sheaf added. “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.” He concluded, “For the time being we are going to stay together, look after each other, that is all we can do.”