Robins also paid homage to the man he had at his back for five years at Coventry, ex-chief executive Dave Boddy, who left the club in January, by inviting him as his guest at the degree ceremony.

“We’ve kept in touch and will continue to do that,” added Robins. “Dave Boddy was brilliant for the football club, brilliant for me and he’s a brilliant human being. It was good to spend time with him and have a catch-up.”

Although the Coventry players are understood to have been asked not to go on social media over the past fortnight, Robins has been grateful for their private sentiments.

“The players have contacted me independently,” he said. “They just need a bit of time to settle down. Things have changed and everybody moves on.

“It’s something that, over time, you come to terms with. Whenever you lose your job it’s tough. The fact that I’ve been here so long makes it even tougher but, in football management, you know sooner or later it’s going to end.

“Whilst it was sooner than I wanted, at the end of the day, it is what it is.

“I left school at 16. I’m not an academic. So, to get this bestowed on me is really special. I’m not sure about the hat though.”

Mark Robins was talking to BBC CWR’s Clive Eakin