ACADEMY BOSS TO LEAVE CITY
CITY STALWART TO MOVE ON
COVENTRY City’s Academy Manager Richard Stevens is leaving the club to join West Bromwich Albion’s own youth setup.
Stevens, who has been at the Sky Blues for the last 12 years, six in charge of the Academy, leaves the club with its “huge thanks and gratitude” after it says he has played a huge role in the development of individual players and the Academy as a whole.
The club say he has, “shown incredible dedication to the club, spending countless hours going above and beyond to ensure the continued success of the club’s Category 2 Academy at the Alan Higgs Centre.”
Stevens said: “The decision to leave my role has without any question been the toughest I’ve had to make, having been here for 12 years.
“The Academy and people within it have given me some of the best times I’ve had in football and also some of the toughest challenges.
“The securing of the Academy training ground and Category 2 status leaves the club and academy in a strong position to push forward. The step to Category 1 in the academy system is a challenge I could not turn down for my own personal development and career progression.
“Although I will be around for a period of time yet, I would like to thank the owners for full support throughout the journey and also all of the staff, players and parents who have played a part in providing experiences for all levels of development.
“It’s been a privilege to have been a part of this academy.”
Manager Mark Robins said: “While we are of course disappointed to see him leave, his work at the club has earned him the opportunity at a Category One Academy, and we wish Richard all of the best for the future and thank him for his hard work and achievements at Coventry City over the years.”
Dave Boddy, Coventry City Chief Executive, said: “We are sorry to see Richard leaving. He has shown incredible dedication to the club over many years, and his role in the success of the Academy and the impact that has had on the Football Club as a whole cannot be underestimated. For Richard, I know this has been a difficult decision, but moving to a Category 1 Academy at West Bromwich Albion is a terrific opportunity for him and he goes with the thanks of everyone at the Football Club, past and present Academy players and parents, and no doubt our supporters too.”