EFL manager sacked as Hull City's Championship rivals make big decision

Hull City's Championship rivals Coventry City have sacked manager Mark Robins, bringing an end to the longest-serving manager's tenure in the Championship after more than seven years in charge.

Wednesday night's 2-1 home defeat to Derby County brought an end to Robins' impressive reign at the CBS Arena which began with the Sky Blues in League One, and took in an FA Cup final and a Championship play-off final. They narrowly missed out on promotion to the top flight in 2023 after losing on penalties to Luton Town at Wembley.

Coventry have won just four games this season and sit 17th in the table, one place above City with both clubs only outside the bottom three on goal difference after their respective midweek defeats.

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The Sky Blues host City at the CBS next month and will hope to have a new manager in charge by the time the two sides meet on December 14. City themselves have endured a poor start to the season and boss Tim Walter is under mounting pressure, though Hull Live understands his position is not under threat ahead of Sunday's home meeting with West Brom.

"Coventry City Football Club has made the difficult decision to terminate the contract of Mark Robins as manager with immediate effect," the Midlands club said in a statement.

"Since 2017, Mark has overseen the resurrection of Coventry City Football Club from the depths of League Two, to Champions of League One and to a hairs breadth away from both the Premier League and a second FA Cup Final, whilst competing in the Championship for a fifth consecutive season.

"Mark masterminded and built several teams over that time that outperformed their budget, outperformed their infrastructure and brought back a playing style, credibility and belief to our City that had been lost and eroded over many years.

"These achievements will never be forgotten by those who witnessed such deeds and the broader community that once again began to rekindle their affection for our club."

The club went on to pay tribute to Robins for his efforts before outlining their plans moving forward, which will include the appointment of an interim head coach.

"There is no doubt that Coventry City today would not be where it is today without the inspired actions of Mark and his team," the statement continued.

"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.

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

"The club will take its time to appoint a successor to Mark, although the position will be that of Head Coach working within the new structure set up by the Club over the last two years."

Robins' departure after seven years, eight months and one day means Rams boss Paul Warne is now the next longest serving boss int the Championship at two years and just over a month.