Coventry City make a double appointment as part of development squad revamp

Coventry City have appointed a new professional development coach to take charge of the club’s newly formed Under-21s which replace the old Under-23s age group.

John Dempster, who oversaw Sky Blues 23s to their league title victory over Bristol City in May in the absence of Luke Tisdale, who has since left the club to take up a coaching role with Aston Villa women, takes the title of Senior Professional Development Phase Coach.

Dempster joined the club in February 2020 as Lead Professional Development Phase Coach and in his time in that position played a key role in the development of a numbers of players, also guiding the Sky Blues youngsters to the Professional Development League Cup Final.

“It is a real privilege to be offered the job as Senior Professional Development Phase Coach, and to continue the work of the Under 23s previously and the Academy,” said the coach, who was previously Mansfield’s academy manager and first-team manager, following a playing career which included spells at The Stags, Rushden & Diamonds, Oxford United and Kettering Town among others, as well as representing Scotland at Under 21 level.

“I have worked closely with many of the players who have moved from the Under 18s to the Under 21s and have already got a good relationship with them. The new players who have joined this Summer have already bonded well into the existing group.

“The existing players and the new additions have impressed both in training and in the pre-season games programme, and we’re looking forward to the season ahead.”

He will be assisted by Chris Allen who joined the Sky Blues early in January 2022, having previously been youth team coach and first-team coach at Oxford United. He played more than 180 games for Oxford