Football
Exclusive: Mark Robins Eyes Coventry Raid as He Plots Stoke City Rebuild
Mark Robins is planning to raid his former club, Coventry City, for players for his rebuild at Stoke City. If Coventry is promoted, players like Bidwell, Burroughs, and Sakamoto could be available. Robins has a history of success in recruitment and is prepared for both Championship and Premier League scenarios. Lampard has improved Coventry's performance, putting them in the play-off race.
Stoke City FC v Oxford United FC - Sky Bet Championship by Nathan Stirk | Getty Images
Mark Robins is plotting a summer raid of old club Coventry City for his Stoke City rebuild, according to SportsBoom sources.
It is understood Sky Blues’ boss Frank Lampard would be given a war chest if the club return to the Premier League for the first time since 2001.
And that would leave a number of players Robins trusted during his time in the Midlands surplus to requirements at the CBS Arena with Robins ready to pounce.
LONG CONNECTION
Defender Jake Bidwell, who Robins signed from Swansea City in 2022, is someone Robins is a huge admirer of and would love to lure to the bet365.
It is also believed Scottish midfielder Jack Burroughs and Japanese striker Tatsuhiro Sakamoto would be available if Coventry get promoted.
Experienced midfielder Jamie Allen, 30, is out of contract at the end of the campaign and his future remains uncertain.
It is understood Allen, who has mainly been used off the bench this season, would become a free agent should Lampard lead the club back to the promised land which would give Robins an opportunity to swoop.
SURVIVAL TOP PRIORITY
Championship survival is at the forefront of Robins’ mind at the Potteries, but the experienced manager has plans in place whether the club are in the second or third tier next season.
Robins showed what he can achieve if he is given time to recruit. He was the longest serving manager in the EFL before his seven-year-and-eight-month spell at Coventry came to an end earlier this term.
The former Huddersfield Town boss, who took Coventry from the brink in League Two, got the Sky Blues within one penalty kick of going up via the play-offs at Wembley when they lost out to Luton Town in 2023.
But he was relieved of his duties with the club languishing in the bottom half of the Championship table.
Lampard has turned Coventry’s fortunes around since taking the hot seat and they are now firmly in the play-off picture heading into the final stages of the season.
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