Aidy Boothroyd has cooled talk that Lee Carsley is poised to take over as player-manager at Walsall.
Sky Blues battler linked with switch to Saddlers
Coventry manager Aidy Boothroyd has cooled talk that captain Lee Carsley is poised to take over as player-manager at Walsall.
The 36-year-old veteran has been strongly linked with the vacant post at the Banks's Stadium in a coaching capacity following the departure of Chris Hutchings.
Carsley, formerly of Derby, Blackburn, Everton and Birmingham, has started 25 games in the Championship for the Sky Blues this term but could drop down a level to cut his teeth in League One.
However, Boothroyd insists the midfielder is a part of his plans and does not want to lose him to Walsall.
"He's been brilliant, everything I thought he would be," Boothroyd told the
Coventry Telegraph.
"He's been outstanding on the field - one of those players I know will always give me at least seven out of 10 every week - and he's a strong voice in the dressing room, along with Marlon King.
"They've been there and done it and want to be successful.
"I'll have a chat with him because I know it's something he wants to do in time.
"He's taken his badges - I think he's got his A Licence now - and I have no doubt he will go on to become a really good coach or a manager or whatever he wants to be.
"But I think it's really important to learn the trade, spend time at the coalface, working with kids, making mistakes, because as soon as you go into a management job you're expected to get results."
Carsley missed Saturday's FA Cup tie against Crystal Palace but Boothroyd claims it had nothing to do with the speculation regarding his future.
"We took him out of the old people's home last week and he was creaking more than he normally does so I decided it was time for him to have a rest," joked the City boss.
"If you play somebody like him in every game and don't take the opportunity to rest him, it can become a problem later on.
"I'm hoping that for the last 15 games we've got everybody back, everybody fit, because that's the time when some teams blow up and some go on a run so that's when you want to get your form going.
"He was in the dressing room, helping to get the lads geed up and ready, and now I'm sure that he will be fighting fit for Sheffield United on Saturday."
