play off

England need to win these two matches to earn automatic promotion back to the top level of the Nations League and ensure Tuchel's first game is not a Nations League play-off rather than the World Cup qualifier he says he has planned for.

A 12,062 crowd - a record for a WCL qualifier - watched Martin Sjogren's side lose 2-1 at home in the first leg of their play-off against Benfica, quarter-finalists last season.

And they only just came through their play-off to qualify for this phase, beating Servette 3-2 on aggregate with the Swiss side missing late chances to force extra time.

They won their final five Premier League games under Mauricio Pochettino to finish sixth and get a Conference League play-off spot.

Robins' sacking comes just over 17 months since he got the Sky Blues to within one win of a Premier League return, with Coventry beaten by Luton Town on penalties in the Championship play-off final in May 2023.