Coventry chairman Ray Ranson admitted he could not see an end to the Sky Blues run of poor results and that was the reason Aidy Boothroyd was sacked. Just one win in 16 games has still left some supporters still wondering why he was not given more time considering a lack of transfer funds and a lengthy injury list.

Ranson said: "It's been a very difficult decision but I think the results speak for themselves, one win in 16, and having watched the last two or three games - Bristol City and Hull at home - there doesn't seem to be any sense that we are going to turn it around.

"So I would hardly call it a knee-jerk reaction. We speak as a board on a regular basis and the decision was made over the weekend.

"Aidy was obviously disappointed but he's a big boy and he's a young man with a bright future ahead of him and I'm sure he'll bounce back from this. I wish him the best of luck."

Temporary duo Andy Thorn and Steve Harrison are the bookies' early favourites for the position on a full-time basis, with the likes of Sam Allardyce, Chris Hughton and locally-based former West Brom boss Roberto Di Matteo also in the frame.