IT’S A GRIM END AT COVENTRY
IT WAS this weekend 28 years ago that Mark Hughes set up Mark Robins to score the goal that saved Alex Ferguson’s skin at Manchester United.
Another FA Cup third-round tie brought these two back together — but this time the match resulted in the manager under pressure losing his job as Stoke announced that Hughes had been sacked following face to face talks with chief executive Tony Scholes after returning to the club’s training ground last night.
Ireland manager Martin O’Neill and Derby County boss Gary Rowett are in the frame to replace him. ‘A club statement said: ‘Stoke City can confirm that the contract of manager Mark Hughes has been terminated with immediate effect. We would like to thank Mark for all he has achieved for the club over the last four and a half years, notably in guiding us to three successive ninth-place finishes in the Premier League, and we wish him every success for the future.
‘The club will look to appoint a new manager as soon as possible and will be making no further comment at this time.’ After the game, Hughes denied the result had affected his position. He said: ‘Is it any different from the situation after the Newcastle game? I don’t think it is.’
Coventry’s victory was was an indictment of Hughes and Stoke. But at least Robins can look forward to a fourth-round encounter while Hughes gets used to a spell off the managerial treadmill.
On a quagmire of a pitch to bring to mind Ronnie Radford’s goal for Hereford against Newcastle 45 years ago, came another FA Cup moment that will be remembered long into the future.
Jordan Willis opened the scoring and though Charlie Adam equalised from the penalty spot, Jack Grimmer produced a fine winner to spark an atmosphere rarely heard at a stadium that has seldom felt like home. This is why the FA Cup still retains the capacity to bring joy.
‘I’m proud,’ said Robins. ‘Regardless of the current troubles at Stoke we equipped ourselves really well. We went toe-to-toe with them.’
Hughes understood perfectly the wider importance of this game and picked a side with comfortable victory in mind.
At other junctures of his Stoke reign he might have used the FA Cup third-round to rest limbs but in the eye of a storm he battened down the hatches and started close to his best available team.
There was still room to give Stephen Ireland an emotional return after 20 months out and the 31-year-old began as if making up for lost time following his lengthy absence through a broken leg. His deft chip to Mame Diouf in the 11th minute created Stoke’s first chance and Willis had to be alert to clear off the line. Ireland then tried himself when set up by Diouf’s knockback but shot wide.
Stoke, though, were failing to exert the control expected given the gap of 53 places in the football ladder and midway through the half Coventry went even further.
Jordan Maguire-Drew only joined on loan from Brighton this week but his deep corner triggered a routine that looked age-old. Grimmer nodded back and Willis beat Diouf in the air to head down and in.
In fact Coventry could well have gone in further ahead but spurned good chances with Marc McNulty rounding Butland only to miss the target and then see another effort cleared off the line by the covering Geoff Cameron.
Boos from the away section sent Stoke down the tunnel at half-time and soon into the second period Hughes broke the emergency glass to send on Peter Crouch.
In the 54th minute the Premier League side were level, Ramadan Sobhi reaching top speed and proving too quick for Willis in the area. Martin Atkinson pointed to the spot and Adam fired home the penalty to provide a sense that Stoke could yet escape a nightmare scenario.
Crouch went close, but then Grimmer emerged to the fore. The right-back advanced to the point where the crowd were encouraging a shot and he acquiesced, taking Butland by surprise and beating the goalkeeper at his near post.
Stoke threw everything at their hosts in response and Diouf spurned two excellent chances. But by the final whistle Robins could shake his old team-mate’s hand knowing his side had earned their win. A victory which cost Hughes his job.