COVENTRY Sphinx have sacked manager John Woodward with the club winless in their last eight matches.
Sphinx have parted ways with Woodward despite Coventry seeing their last two matches postponed due to frozen pitches.
Coventry currently sit 18th in the Northern Premier League Midlands table, one point clear of the relegation zone with at least one game in hand on the teams below them.
A club statement reads: “Coventry Sphinx can confirm manager John Woodward has been relieved of his duties.
“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to John for his hard work, dedication and contribution to the club.
“As joint manager he brought our greatest moment in recent seasons with promotion to the Northern Premier League.
“We wish John success with any future football projects.”
The decision to relieve Woodward of his duties means his last game in charge of the club came in a 2-1 defeat against rivals Bedworth United on New Year’s Day.
Woodward helped Sphinx achieve promotion to Step Four for the first time in the club’s history in 2022/23.
He successfully kept the club in the NPL Midlands in each of the last two seasons.
Woodward posted on X: “Not the news I expected but have been relieved of my duties at Coventry Sphinx.
“A big thanks to all the loyal players and support staff who made this club what it is.
“Some great memories getting a small club into Step Four and staying there for two seasons on a modest budget.
“I couldn’t have given any more and realised that players were playing for me and not the committee.
“They do not know what they’ve wished for.”
Assistant manager Louis Guest has also departed Sphinx following the club’s decision to sack Woodward.
Guest made his debut for Coventry as a teenager and went to make close to 400 appearances for the club as a player.
Guest posted on X: “Following the recent announcement, I’ve made a very unexpected and tough decision to leave Coventry Sphinx.
“The club has been a huge part of my life – coming through the junior ranks, into the youth team and making my first team debut at 17.
“Since then I’ve been fortunate enough to rack up almost 400 senior appearances, enjoy a title win and promotion to Step Four and more recently step into my role as assistant manager.
“It’s been a journey with plenty of highs and challenges along the way but the memories will last forever.
“I’ve met some amazing people along the way and I just want to thank everyone who has played a part in the journey, previous managers, volunteers, fans and teammates.”
Coventry are next in action against Lye Town in the Birmingham Senior Cup on Tuesday, January 13 with kick-off at 7.45pm at the Cameron Slater Arena.
