The 2016/17 season will forever be etched in the memories of Coventry City fans as the year their beloved club experienced the gut-wrenching blow of relegation to League Two after nearly six decades in the upper tiers of English football.
The unexpected plunge of a prestigious club like the Sky Blues to the fourth division sent shockwaves through the Coventry fanbase, marking a period of turmoil for the team.
During that tumultuous season, Coventry went through three different managers, with one fateful appointment standing out for all the wrong reasons.
Russell Slade, a former manager of Cardiff City and Charlton Athletic, was entrusted with the managerial role in December 2016, only to face the axe just a few months later in March 2017, after overseeing a mere 16 games.
Slade’s track record was marred by his less-than-successful stint at Charlton Athletic, where he was dismissed following a string of poor performances, winning only five out of 21 matches. Despite these warning signs, Coventry disregarded past failures and brought him on board.
This ill-fated decision proved costly for the Sky Blues as Slade’s tenure mirrored his underwhelming results at Charlton, culminating in a dismal performance that solidified Coventry’s relegation.
Following Slade’s departure, Mark Robins swiftly assumed the managerial reins, a move that sparked gradual improvement in the team’s performance. The change couldn’t avert relegation, but it did offer a glimmer of hope, with Robins steering the team away from the bottom of the table and even securing a victory in the Football League Trophy final at Wembley.
With hindsight, the question lingers: why didn’t Coventry turn to Robins sooner? His familiarity with the club and immediate impact upon arrival leaves fans wondering what might have been if he had been appointed earlier, potentially altering the course of their turbulent season.
During the 2012/13 season, Robins assumed control of the Sky Blues, marking his return to the field after departing Scunthorpe United in January 2016. Renowned as a former Manchester United striker, Robins delivered a stellar performance at Coventry, guiding them to promotion from League Two in their inaugural attempt and clinching the League One title in 2020.
Presently, his squad ranks among the top Championship contenders, narrowly missing out on Premier League promotion last season, following a defeat to Luton Town in the play-off final. Speculation arises about what might have unfolded had Robins been appointed earlier, given the calamity during Slade’s tenure at Coventry. The decision to appoint Slade, tainted by his prior stint at Charlton, now appears highly questionable.
Indeed, hindsight once more showcases its remarkable clarity.