Mark Robins appointed manager of Huddersfield

The 43-year-old joins from Coventry

Mark Robins (PA)

Huddersfield have confirmed the appointment of Mark Robins as their permanent new manager.

The Terriers, who sacked Simon Grayson three weeks ago after going 12 games without a win in the npower Championship, were granted permission to approach the 43-year-old on Tuesday after Coventry had rejected an initial approach.

Former Rotherham and Barnsley boss Robins, who had only been installed as Andy Thorn's permanent successor at Coventry in September when he signed a three-year contract, will take charge of his first game on Sunday when Town take on Wigan in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Huddersfield chairman Dean Hoyle, who has handed Robins a rolling contract, said: "We've been through a lengthy and detailed process in appointing Mark as the club's new manager and we are delighted.

"As I said we would, we have taken our time in making this appointment because it is such an important one, both for our short and long-term ambitions.

"Obviously retention of our Championship status is vital, but we also needed a manager who buys into the club's football philosophy and structure. We believe Mark is that man.

"Mark has the knowledge, skills and attributes that the board of directors set out for our new manager and it is clear that he shares our vision, philosophy and values."

Hoyle added: "I would like to record the club's thanks for the professional way Coventry City dealt with this during what has been a difficult time while negotiations took place."

But Coventry have expressed their "frustration and disappointment" at Robins' departure.

Sky Blues chief executive Tim Fisher said: "To say we are disappointed is an understatement. We gave Mark a three-year contract which we saw as a long-term appointment.

"Added to this, Mark was able to bring in those members of staff that he requested, plus we gave a considerable financial commitment in terms of players brought in during the loan windows to ensure that we had a strong, competitive team on the pitch.

"Over the last few months, we have had several clubs interested in securing Mark's services and we have fought off multiple approaches. We made every effort to ensure he stayed with us."

Fisher added: "I understand that our supporters will be angry and disappointed because they have seen a dramatic turnaround in on-pitch fortunes and performances in the short space of time that Mark has been here."

Mancunian Robins, a former striker with Manchester United, Norwich, Leicester and Rotherham, had transformed Coventry from relegation candidates to play-off contenders this season and had already been linked with the recent vacancy at Doncaster and with managerless Blackpool.

He becomes Huddersfield's fifth manager in as many years following the dismissal of Grayson last month.

Grayson had steered the club to promotion to the npower Championship last season following a penalty shoot-out win over Sheffield United in the League One play-off final.

Hoyle gave the former Leeds boss his full backing in last summer's transfer market and Huddersfield had hovered in and around the top six after an encouraging start to the current season.

But after the win at Barnsley in early November, Grayson's side went 12 games without a win, which saw them slip to 18th place in the table and the 43-year-old was sacked five days after a 4-0 defeat at Watford on January 19.

PA