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.”

While defeat by Derby was Coventry’s seventh in the league this season, it was their first in four games – a run that included back-to-back wins against Luton Town and Middlesbrough.

First-team coach Rhys Carr has been placed in interim charge for Saturday’s game against leaders Sunderland.

Former Manchester United striker Robins signed a new four-year contract in May 2023, but he was forced to part with his long-time number two Adi Viveash this summer, as the club appointed ex-Sky Blues midfielder George Boateng and Wolves development coach Carr to form a reshaped backroom team.

In the top four tiers of English football, only Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola has lasted longer than Robins’ seven years, eight months and one day.

Simon Weaver has spent 15 years with Harrogate Town, but most of it before the League Two club entered the EFL.

Former Rotherham, Barnsley, Huddersfield and Scunthorpe manager Robins has taken charge of 780 matches in his managerial career – more than half of which have been with the Sky Blues.

He enjoyed 171 wins in 420 games at the helm, of which 17 came in his first period in charge between September 2012, when he succeeded Andy Thorn, and February 2013, when Robins left to join Huddersfield.