Coventry City comment from CoventryLive as Sky Blues reporter Andy Turner attempts to shed some light on the shock news that Adi Viveash has left the club
Coventry City supporters are in shock over the shocking news that their favourite player, Adi Viveash, has left the team. The announcement, which was made abruptly on Monday lunchtime, came just minutes before the Sky Blues announced the appointments of George Boateng, a former favourite, and Rhys Carr, a lesser-known coach from Wolves. The club’s only explanation is that, “following a post-season review, it (the club) has decided to revamp its coaching structure.” Supporters are now left wondering why and what lies ahead for the team, considering Viveash’s enormous influence over the last seven years, during which he has been a key factor in City’s success in winning two promotions a play-off final and progression to the semi-final of the FA Cup.
Robins referred to the 54-year-old as the “man who paints the pictures.” He oversaw the team’s daily training at Ryton, sometimes using a rod of iron, but he was well-liked by the players and had a stellar reputation for nurturing players as part of the club’s strategy to identify and develop young, hungry talent and turn them into valuable assets.
Viktor Gyokeres, who signed for about £1 million the following summer after joining the team on loan from Brighton after struggling to get playing time during a temporary spell at Swansea, is undoubtedly one of his greatest achievements. He scored 18 goals in his first full season and 22 in his second, earning him a £20 million move to Sporting Lisbon and important profit for the club to spend on strengthening in the transfer window.
A number of loans and permanent signings, including Brad Collins, Jay Dasilva, Kasey Palmer, and Ian Maatsen—three of whom worked under him as young development players at Stamford Bridge—were made possible by his connections at Chelsea.
Whether Viveash chose to depart in order to explore other chances is the key question that remains unresolved at this time. Yes, he did, as he disclosed to CoventryLive in our special three-part interview with him earlier this year: “I get asked ‘do you want to be a manager?’ so many times. No, I have never desired to hold a managerial position. My goal was not to work in the senior game. In development football, I was really content, and I never considered I was really lucky to work at the top end where I was employed at Chelsea.
“I advanced through the age levels and matured swiftly. I was pleased with my performance and felt I did a fair job, but things happen and I ended up here when that shifts and there’s that bolt. Someone makes a decision, and that’s their right. I’ve spent fifteen years as a head coach. I work in that capacity.
Has there been a fallout is the other important question.
The absence of eloquent praises or statements from Doug King or Robins, and the inclusion of a brief three-paragraph statement that ends with the phrase “Coventry City wishes Adi the best of luck for the future,” may be indicative of something.
Undoubtedly, there was a strong personality exchange between the two individuals. When asked if their success as a double act was due to this, Viveash said to CoventryLive, “I don’t know if it’s because we’re two strong characters or something else.” Creating a demanding environment is one of my great skills; how you acquire the culture, how you set up the training, and how you demand in each session. Yes, the gaffer has remarked that I challenge. True enough, I’m boneless about claiming it’s me at my best and the reason I put in the amount of work that I did.
Is that difficult? Indeed. Do I confront him every single minute of the day? No. As I’ve already stated, I’ve never wanted to be a manager and deal with the issues he does. However, if he questions me about a training session and says he believes a particular player trained well, I would tell him if I didn’t, so if that’s difficult…
He is the manager, as he has stated himself, and it begins and stops there. Sometimes we agree, and other times we don’t. I appreciate his role as manager and the work he has done. I wish him luck and appreciate the work he’s put into rebuilding this club. However, I don’t believe that makes me tough to deal with.
Furthermore, he stated that the two had similar goals when he talked extensively about his time and position at City back in March, adding, “We are very different people with different outlooks on life.”Although we are not cut from the same mould, we both want Coventry to return to the Premier League. It ought to be the greatest version of the team that it can be, and we hope to see the squad produce quality football players and have good players.
But when he acknowledged how much of a “slog” the work can be and that he wasn’t sure when it would be appropriate for him to move on, that may have been a sign of things to come.
Just three months ago, he disclosed, “I have always said I will know when it’s the right time not to be here.” Nobody will be informing me of this. I’ll be aware of who I am. And I’m not saying that because I want to accomplish that or that. It should be unnecessary to tell you.
“You need to be motivated. Spending nine months of the year on the grass might be exhausting. I’m lucky to have a career that I’m enthusiastic about. Although I have given a lot back to the game and it has been kind to me, the Championship is exhausting due to its unwavering nature.
Adi Viveash’s departure undoubtedly leaves a significant void in Mark Robins’ coaching staff and an unclear transition period in front of them.
