Coventry City promotion hero Liam Kelly has returned to the club in a coaching role.
The 36-year-old has been appointed senior professional development phase coach and will take charge of the Under-21s, with Mark Delaney leaving the Sky Blues.
City confirmed the news on Thursday, a move that will bring the former midfielder back to the club where he was part of the rise from League Two to the Championship. He was also part of the squad that reached the FA Cup semi-finals in 2024.
The former Scotland international came to the Sky Blues from Leyton Orient in 2017. He would go on to spend seven years and play 180 games. After leaving in 2024 he spent two seasons at Rotherham United – but is now in the next stage of his career.
“I’m delighted to be back at Coventry,” Kelly told the club website. “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.
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“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.”
Sporting Director Dean Austin welcome Kelly’s return: “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.”
Former Wales international Delaney departs after nearly three years with the first team, U18s and U21s.
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