Robins, in his second spell as Sky Blues boss, is the fifth longest-serving manager in English football, his Coventry tenure having passed the six-year mark in March.
Long-renowned as the striker whose goal saved Sir Alex Ferguson’s job early into his glittering reign as Manchester United boss, Robins has performed arguably an even greater rescue act in the Midlands.
When he took over from Russell Slade in March 2017, Coventry were slipping into the fourth tier for the first time since 1959, a slide he was unable to prevent.
But Robins got them back up at the first attempt and promotion from League One as champions followed two seasons later, before two years of Championship consolidation preceded this term’s play-off push.
All of this was achieved against the backdrop of continual issues with their then-stadium owners – a problem now resolved – that included spending two seasons as tenants of Birmingham City at St Andrew’s.
“Years ago we said we can rise together and that’s been the mantra for a number of years now and thankfully the supporters here listen,” Robins told BBC CWR.
“They stick by us through thick and thin – and there’s a bit more thick now than thin so let’s enjoy it, let’s see how far we can go and hopefully it goes right.
“If it doesn’t, there’s been loads of learning in it. But let’s just go into it thinking we can achieve an even more special season than it already is.”
