The EFL has issued an announcement prior of Sunderland’s home game against Championship rivals Coventry City. Sunderland host managerless Coventry City on Saturday, hoping to add to their chances of returning to the Premier League. The Black Cats have lost only two of their first 14 Championship games and have not lost a league game since a late setback to Watford on the last weekend of September. Regis Le Bris’ side is now unbeaten in seven games, with goalless draws against Queens Park Rangers and Preston North End, and leads the Championship table by two points.
Saturday’s game against Coventry took on a new aspect on Thursday, when the Sky Blues parted ways with long-time manager Mark Robins. After taking over the club for the second time in 2017, the former Manchester United striker led Coventry to two promotions, from League Two to the Championship, and came close to returning to the Premier League in 2023 when Robins’ side lost in the Championship play-off final to Luton Town.
Last season, the Sky Blues suffered another Wembley defeat in the FA Cup semi-final, losing on penalties after rallying from three goals down to share six goals with Manchester United. They nearly won that game, but a narrow offside call cost them a miraculous 4-3 victory. However, Robins’ current season has been a challenge, and his reign came to an end on Thursday, with his club finishing in the bottom half of the Championship.
A Coventry statement read: “Coventry City Football Club has made the difficult decision to terminate Mark Robins’ contract as manager with immediate effect.” Without Mark and his team’s inspired initiatives, Coventry City would not be where it is now. The club understands that this is a difficult decision after almost seven years of success, and it is not taken lightly. The club will take its time in appointing a successor to Mark, but the role will be that of head coach working inside the new framework established by the club over the last two years.”
Saturday’s encounter will be crucial for both Sunderland and their opponents as they seek to advance their causes at opposite ends of the table – and the two clubs have already revealed the officials who will oversee the Stadium of Light duel. The EFL has announced Leigh Doughty as the game’s referee, with him officiating the Black Cats for the first time this season.
The Blackpool-based official last officiated a Sunderland game last season, a goalless home draw with Bristol City, and he was also in charge of the Black Cats’ 1-1 home draw with Huddersfield Town in the last month of the previous season. Doughty will be accompanied by Nigel Lugg and Richard Woodward, with Ruebyn Ricardo taking on fourth official responsibilities.
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