‘Blindsided and Heartbroken’: Adi Viveash Reveals the Emotional Truth Behind Coventry City Exit – What Doug King Didn’t Say
Former Coventry City assistant manager and first team coach Adi Viveash has spoken publicly for the first time since his sudden departure from the club, interviewed by popular podcast, That Cov pod
Adi Viveash has spoken about the “enormous hurt” suffered from “unfactual” information doing the rounds on social media when he suddenly left Coventry City.
Speaking publicly for the first time about his shock exit last summer, Mark Robins’ former right-hand man said his “character was brought into question” following his departure from the club after almost seven years.
The 55-year-old coach has spoken to Simon Lillibury from popular Sky Blues podcast, That Cov Pod, in which he goes on to briefly talk about his exit and why Doug King’s press conference to explain the sacking of Robins came as a relief back in November. The latest episode featuring the Viveash exclusive is out today (Sat, May 24) and can be seen here.
Providing a tease of what the former City coach said, the podcast this week trailed a clip of Viveash saying: “I was pleased when he spoke because he told the truth, so the truth is…”
King’s bombshell press conference explaining why he sacked Mark Robins as Coventry City boss, cited a fall out between the manager and his assistant (Viveash) that led to the “dismantling” of the successful coaching set-up at the Championship club.
The Sky Blues owner insisted the decision wasn’t necessarily based on results and form, but rather the fact that there had been a “divorce” between the two protagonists that had led the club to two promotions and four Wembley appearances over the last seven years.
In an excerpt from the two-part interview that concentrates mainly on City’s rise from League Two to the Championship, with some interesting behind-the-scenes tales about Marc McNulty, Gervane Kastaneer and Bright Enobakhare, Viveash spoke about the “absolute rubbish” bandied about on social media at the time of his departure.
“Unfortunately there’s a lot, in this day and age… Social media, which I am not on, and the biggest disappointment since I left is the fact of my character being brought into question on social media,” he said.
“You know there’s been enormous hurt caused to my partner, my kids, my friends. Enormous hurt from really unfactual information that is absolute rubbish.
“And that, while trying to link it to the role I have played along with many others and all these young people who have turned into extraordinary young men, is very sad. And that is something I found difficult to deal with while I have been out.”
Viveash goes on to speak about the incident in which he wrestled a pitch invader to the ground when the Sky Blues played West Brom a few seasons ago, saying: “Did I tackle a supporter against West Brom? Yes. Would I do it again tomorrow? Yes. Was the lad in any danger? No.
“I have said this many times, I had my hand on his back and he never even touched the ground. My hand touched the ground so I know people will say, if you do something like that you can be deemed your characters as something.
“But people who know me know that I’m an extremely quiet person, a very loyal person and a very dedicated person. And I surround myself with people that I love and people who are really close to my heart. But I also don’t suffer fools because I am not one myself.”
