Coventry City legend Liam Kelly returns in new role
He will now lead the club's Under 21s squad
Liam Kelly is returning to Coventry City FC, taking up a new position as the Senior Professional Development Phase Coach.
Kelly, who previously captained Coventry, will now lead the club's Under 21s.
Having first joined Coventry in 2017, Kelly played an integral part in their promotion to League One, later contributing to their Championship title win in the 2019-20 season.
He made 180 appearances for Coventry, scoring three goals, and later participated in their FA Cup semi-final in 2024.
After leaving the club that year, Kelly spent two seasons at Rotherham United before deciding to return to his much-loved Coventry.
Kelly said: “I’m delighted to be back at Coventry.
This club means a lot to me; I have some fantastic memories of being a player here and I enjoyed some fantastic moments with the people I worked with and the supporters who backed us here in my time.”
He continued: “I’m really excited about getting to work with the Under 21s and the Academy and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue my journey.
"Coaching is something I’ve been preparing for as a player. Working with the U21s is a brilliant opportunity to help develop talented young players and support them through an important stage in their careers.
"I want to help develop players who are ready to take the steps into the First Team. That’s the ultimate aim of any academy and something I’m passionate about.
"I would like to create an environment where players enjoy coming in every day, work hard and challenge to develop the habits they need to have successful careers.”
Dean Austin, Sporting Director, expressed enthusiasm for Kelly's new role: “We’re delighted to have Liam here to work with our young players.
"He has all the attributes to be a top coach. He’s a scholar of the game and he’s Coventry through and through.
"It’s a great moment for us to bring a legend back to the Club, it’s the right thing for us, the right thing for him and we’re pleased he will be taking that next step in his career with us.”
The club also confirmed the departure of Mark Delaney, sending him best wishes for his next venture.