Coventry City will be hopeful of reaching the play-offs again next season.
The last couple of seasons have been positive for the Sky Blues as they have continually appeared in the top half of the table with hopes of the play-offs in mind.
They managed to reach the Championship play-offs in the 2022/23 campaign, and were one game away from the Premier League, but fell at the final hurdle at Wembley against Luton Town.
It was heartbreak for Coventry, but at the same time, they were able to reflect on how far they had come over the last decade.
The one man that has spearheaded their incredible rise from League Two to the Championship is their manager, Mark Robins.
His appointment in 2017 was an exciting one as he had previously managed the club a few years prior, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions Coventry have ever made.
Robins has been exceptional for the Sky Blues and has led them through some historic moments. The club may not have been in the position they are in now if they appointed someone else back in March 2017.
Mark Robins’ first spell with Coventry
Robins was a familiar face when he arrived in 2017, as he had managed the club during the 2012/13 campaign. Coventry had recently suffered relegation from the Championship and were struggling at the bottom end of League One, but Robins quickly became a popular figure at the Ricoh Arena as he catapulted them up the league.
He spent just five months in charge before departing for Huddersfield Town in March 2013. Robins impressed in his short spell in charge, and stood in the dugout as Coventry met with Arsenal and Tottenham in the League Cup and FA Cup respectively.
Huddersfield Town snatched him off the Sky Blues who, in turn, appointed Steven Pressley and finished the season in 15th place. Robins did the best he could and became a fan favourite, so when he returned four years later, it was a hugely popular decision.
The reappointment of Mark Robins
In March 2017, Coventry were staring relegation to League Two in the face, so they appointed a familiar name in an attempt to steer clear of the drop zone. Unfortunately, Robins was unable to avoid Coventry’s relegation to the fourth tier, but this was just the beginning of their exciting journey together.
That same season, The Sky Blues lifted the Football League Trophy at Wembley under the guidance of Robins, as they defeated Oxford United 2-1.
Then, the 2017/18 campaign saw Robins earn his first promotion as manager as he led the Sky Blues back into League One at the first attempt.
The target soon became the Championship, and at the second attempt, Coventry finished the League One campaign as Champions and subsequently earned their second promotion in three seasons.
Before Robins returned to Coventry, the club were in a disastrous state and were desperate for any form of success. The years that followed his appointment have been hugely exciting for Sky Blues supporters, and they have a lot to thank the 54-year-old for.
Coventry have been in the Championship for the last few seasons and have had some special players on the books, with the likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Gustavo Hamer becoming fan favourites.
While last season saw a 9th placed finish in the league, it was Coventry’s FA Cup antics that made the headlines. The Sky Blues famously made the FA Cup semi-finals, where they met Manchester United at Wembley.
Coventry were on the brink of a miraculous comeback from 3-0 down, but after levelling the scoring, they fell short in a penalty shootout. It was heartbreak at Wembley once again for the Sky Blues, but they returned to the Midlands with their heads held high.
Mark Robins has transformed this football club on the pitch, and it seems only a matter of time until they return to the promised land that is the top flight.
Coventry will look back on the decision they made back in March 2017 with immense pride and relief.
