MARK Robins admits he enjoyed ‘the best time of his managerial career’ at Coventry City as the now Stoke City prepares to make an emotional return to his former club this weekend.
Coventry sacked Robins in November following a near eight-year stint in charge of the Sky Blues.
The decision provoked a strong reaction from Coventry supporters and led owner and chairman Doug King to explain the reasons behind the sacking at a fans forum event.
Robins guided Coventry to two promotions, a Championship play-off final and FA Cup semi-final during his tenure.
He has since returned to the dugout with Stoke City, winning two of his 10 matches in charge of the Potters following his appointment on New Year’s Day.
Robins makes his first return to the Coventry Building Society Arena this weekend, since his sacking earlier this campaign.
And Robins insists the game is not about him but admits he enjoyed the best spell of his managerial career with the Sky Blues.
Robins told BBC Radio Stoke: “For me, it’s another game. We’re going to my former employers, [but] that’s it.
“I’m not playing, it’s not about me, it’s about the players, how they’ve been prepared, and how we can go and impose our game on an opponent.
“I spent a lot of time there and I had a brilliant time, the best time of my managerial career without a doubt.
“The support was absolutely brilliant, but that came to an end in November and my employment here started in January.
“Going back there will be great, seeing a few friendly faces, a few nice people, and then we’ve got a game to play.”
Coventry replaced Robins with Frank Lampard who has taken the Sky Blues from 17th in the Championship table up to fifth.
And Lampard is full of praise and respect for the work done by his predecessor.
Lampard said: “Mark will clearly get an amazing reception from our fans, and I completely understand that, and I’ll be involved in that.
“You can’t disrespect the opposite number. You have to respect every bit of work that he did at this club.
“I think he is a great football person who has always carried himself well, we’ve crossed paths a few times, and everybody will be appreciative of his time here, so I think that becomes a story of the game.”
Coventry host Stoke on Saturday, March 8 with kick-off at 12.30pm at the CBS Arena.
