Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterFormer Coventry City manager Gordon Strachan is delighted to see pride restored to the city after 25 years in the football wilderness.Few sets of fans have suffered as much as Coventry fans in the 21st century.The club's 34-year stay in the top flight came to end when Strachan was in charge in 2001, and things only went from bad to worse from there for year upon year.The eyes of the world are now on Coventry - and they're actually talking about football"The club failed to challenge for promotion back to the Premier League for 11 years before eventually sliding into League Two amid constant drama around the club's then-ownership.Coventry fans quite rightly protested as the club dropped down the leagues, were twice exiled from the city due to wrangling over the stadium, and were given little hope of better days ahead. You may like "I feel like a bit of an imposter" Matt Grimes sympathises with long-suffering Coventry City fans ahead of Premier League return Exxclusive: Harry Redknapp evaluates Frank Lampard's task after Coventry's promotion Coventry City fought valiantly to make it back to the Premier League, but will surviving the drop prove to be an even greater task? - Coventry City 2026-27 season preview But Strachan says there is a very different feeling around Coventry after the club climbed their way back from those depths and finally won the Championship last season to put themselves back in the big time.Strachan told FourFourTwo: There are signs up, even on the road signs, saying Were back.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over."The community, football-wise, took a battering for 25 years. Its a different world now in Coventry.The eyes of the world are now on Coventry, which is great, and theyre actually talking about football."(Eyes don't talk, Gordon). What to read next Coventry City are set to break their transfer record for Carl Rushworth theyll need to do it again How the promoted Premier League sides are shaping up in the summer transfer window 'The fault of one man' Mel Sterland believes Sheffield Wednesday finally have reason to dream again after years of struggle He went on: "For 20 years, it was Who owns the stadium? Whos got the shares in it? Where are we playing? Are we at Northampton or Birmingham? Whos the owner?Coventry will kick off their season with perhaps the toughest game they will face all season: an away trip to champions Arsenal on Friday, August 21.The Coventry Building Society Arena will then host its first-ever Premier League game as fellow newly-promoted side Hull City come to visit on Saturday, August 29.Strachan was speaking as an ambassador for Coventry Building Society. To find out more, visit thecoventry.co.ukTOPICSGordon StrachanCoventry CityPremier LeagueSteven ChickenSocial Links NavigationSteven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication,WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.With contributions fromJoe DonnohueSenior Digital WriterChris EvansFreelance WriterEd McCambridgeStaff Writer
