Football
Chris Coleman tells of broken promises

Chris Coleman claims he was promised millions of pounds to spend on improving his squad at Coventry. Photo by Jamie Gray. 11.09.005.jg6

CHRIS Coleman has revealed he was promised significant funds by Sisu when he was appointed as manager back in 2008.

The 41-year-old, who took charge of the Sky Blues three months after Sisu saved the club from administration, was told he would be given the financial backing to build a squad capable of challenging or the play-offs.

But that never happened and after key players were sold Coleman was sacked a little over two years later after questioning their motives.

"There were big ideas," Coleman, who is set to be named Wales manager later this week, told the BBC One's Late Kick Off programme on Monday night.

"There was going to be a lot of expenditure on new players to build a team for the play-offs.

"That never came to anything because we ended up selling all of our best players and not re-investing the money which was difficult for us.

"Over the course of my contract, which was three and a half years, the plan was to invest £10million. £2.5million every transfer window, but it never happened. In the end I questioned their motives."

Former Sky Sports presenter and City fan Richard Keys backed recent fans' protests and called on the owners to put the club up for sale.

Keys, who now presents a show alongside Andy Gray on Talksport, said the club was currently on a life support machine.

He labelled the current debts at the club as "frightening" and believed the race was now on for which comes first, administration or relegation.

"What hurts me is that we used to dine at the top table," said Keys.

"We had a place of stature in English football. And we have been reduced to a laughing stock.

"I don't understand why Sisu wish to continue in their ownership of the club. Nobody in the city wants the current owners to continue.

"I believe Gary Hoffman is in a position to be able to, at some stage, put a bid back into the club. They have to take it because there is not good reason not to.

"What Gary can bring initially is an injection of money to keep the club afloat, but I believe he will be in a position to start the process of getting the Arena and the club back together."