Struggling Coventry sack manager Robins

Coventry City boss Mark Robins, the English Football League's longest serving manager, has been sacked by the Championship club.

Robins, 54, was in his second spell as Sky Blues boss, having returned to the club in March 2017 after the sacking of Russell Slade.

His departure in the wake of Wednesday's defeat by Derby County comes after just four wins in 14 Championship games this season that leaves the Sky Blues 17th in the table and equal on points with Plymouth in the relegation spots.

Robins' sacking comes just over 17 months since he got the Sky Blues to within one win of a Premier League return, with Coventry beaten by Luton Town on penalties in the Championship play-off final in May 2023.

And it was only in April that Coventry were denied a place in the FA Cup final by Manchester United on penalties after a stunning turnaround from 3-0 down by Robins' side.

"The club is well aware that this is a difficult moment after over seven very successful years at the helm and this decision is not taken lightly," Coventry City said in a statement on their website., external

"The performance of the team over an extended period, however, has just not been good enough and as such the board of the club has decided to make an immediate change in leadership."

Coventry have not immediately appointed an interim boss who will take charge of Saturday's against leaders Sunderland.