Chris Coleman
On this day (July 13th) in 2008 the Sky Blues set off for Switzerland as part of the club’s pre-season training programme.
Here’s Coventry Telegraph’s Andy Turner’s report at the time:-
“Chris Coleman ‘s Sky Blues squad, complete with new signing Freddy Eastwood, were due to fly to Geneva from Luton and then travel by coach to the picturesque resort of Crans Montana where they will be based. The players were expected to do a late training session this afternoon and face a full programme tomorrow ahead of Wednesday’s opening match against Romanian top-flight side FC Brasov in Martigny.
City are also due to play Swiss side FC Stade Nyonnais on Friday before returning back to the UK at the weekend and resuming training at Warwick University next week.
Freddy in Sky Blue action
“I am pleased with the way the boys have come back,” said manager Coleman. “They had a tough first week in Austria but they coped quite well, and physically they look quite good and their attitude towards it has been first class. Pre-season is always tough for any player physically and mentally, so we have tried to mix it up and spend one week here and one week away to change the environment and surroundings for them mentally, and so far so good. The big kick-off against Norwich City on August 9 is what we are working towards and beyond that, but we have got to make sure they are in the best shape they can be. It doesn’t matter how well pre-season goes, the first game is always really tough.
“It’s normally very hot, the grounds are usually quite hard so it doesn’t matter what preparation you do, the lads usually find the first one really hard”.
Sky Blues squad 2008-09
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images.
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