Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterMatt Grimes begins the new season as one of Coventry Citys on-pitch leaders, with his experience a vital part of last years successful promotion campaign.The 30-year-old joined the Sky Blues in January 2025, ending a decade-long stint at Swansea City, during which time he learned a thing or two about leadership.As Grimes prepares for his latest challenge of defying the naysayers and setting about masterminding a Premier League survival bid, he has reflected on how his own leadership role has evolved.Grimes on why he doesnt always need to shoutWhile some leaders will go for the fire-and-brimstone approach, being the loudest voice in the dressing room with theatrics on display, Grimes believes experience has taught him that this approach is no longer necessary.If were having a stinker and I come in screaming and shouting at half-time, the lads arent going to take me seriously, because they know thats not the type of person I am, he tells FourFourTwo. You may like Matt Grimes explains why playing for Frank Lampard was a 'massive compliment' "I feel like a bit of an imposter" Matt Grimes sympathises with long-suffering Coventry City fans ahead of Premier League return "It was a season where most of what we touched turned to gold" Matt Grimes and Gordan Strachan on how Coventry City ended their 25-year Premier League exile That marks a significant change from earlier in his career, as he now sees autheticity is vital when it comes to commanding a dressing room.I think gone are the days where you need to be the loudest, scream and shout, he continues, underlining the point that modern football leadership has evolved from the days of the loudest voice carrying the most weight.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.With more than 500 career games under his belt, Grimes messaging comes from a place of experience and consistancy, where setting the standard himself can be a far more effective way of rallying the troops.And it is this kind of level-headedness that will be vital this season.Coventry start their first Premier League campaign since 2001 as one of the bookies' favourites to go straight back down, but Grimes believes lessons were learned last year which they can bring forward.We dominated at the start, had a wobble mid-season, but then recovered and won again, he recounts as he looks back at a season in which Frank Lampards side would eventually finish 11 points clear of the chasing pack.We won eight out of nine to cement our place at the top. Seasons like that dont happen often.It will sink in eventually, but even now, I dont think its fully sunk in,TOPICSPremier LeagueJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromChris EvansFreelance WriterJoe DonnohueSenior Digital WriterEd McCambridgeStaff Writer
