Michael BaileyCoventry City unveiled former Norwich City academy coach Aidy Boothroyd as their new manager yesterday, with the 39-year-old signing a three-year contract at the Ricoh Arena.Michael Bailey

Coventry City unveiled former Norwich City academy coach Aidy Boothroyd as their new manager yesterday, with the 39-year-old signing a three-year contract at the Ricoh Arena.

Colchester United gave Boothroyd - the man they brought in to replace Paul Lambert last season - permission to speak to the Sky Blues earlier this week and duly agreed compensation with the Championship club before negotiations were completed between the two parties.

That deal was finalised in record time compared to Lambert's departure for Carrow Road in August, which is still in the hands of a Football League disciplinary commission to agree compensation between the two sides.

United chairman Robbie Cowling , pictured, said: "Although Aidy was only with Colchester for just under nine months, he has made a big impression at our club and that has obviously not gone unnoticed.

"In that short time, I have enjoyed working with Aidy and I wish him every success in his new role.

"Although Aidy's departure is unexpected, there are opportunities in every problem and I am very confident that the next man-ager of Colchester United will, with our support, be chasing promotion honours next season.

"Finally, I would like to thank Coventry City's chairman, Ray Ranson, for the professional manner in which he conducted himself during this matter."

The former Watford boss has taken the reins from Chris Coleman, who was sacked just days after the end of the season following a 4-0 home defeat to strugglers Watford.

"I've got regrets, yes, because I'm leaving some good people at Colchester," said Boothroyd. "The chairman in particular who is a good man and was very fair and honest with me, and hopefully I did a good enough job for him.

"We've shaken hands and he wishes me well and he wants Coventry to go on and do really good things, providing they don't play Colchester in the cups.

"This is a fantastic opportunity and I said straight away that I'd be delighted to meet Ray and have a chat. Having met Ray I knew straight away we could build a relationship and go on and do some good things together.

"It wasn't a particularly difficult decision (to take the position) because of what the club is and what it can be, and also because of the relationship with Ray and what we can do together moving forward."

The Sky Blues ended the campaign 19th after a poor run of form at the end of a stodgy season, and Ranson is hoping Boothroyd can repeat his achievements at Vicarage Road by returning Coventry to the Premier League. However, Boothroyd's appointment was initially welcomed with a mixed response from supporters after former Celtic boss Tony Mowbray was overlooked and talks with Notts County manager Steve Cotterill came to nothing.

Cotterill claimed he turned down the position originally but Ranson added: "I've seen some comments from Steve, which are disappointing to say the least. There's only one manager who has been offered the job and he is sat next to me."

Coventry have barely threatened a return to English football's top flight since dropping out in 2001 and asked about his immediate ambitions for the Sky Blues, Boothroyd added: "I could sit here and say I would be happy to keep chugging along nicely and of course we have to build slowly and look to improve on previous results and league positions.

"But I'm quite ambitious, quite fiery and I want to be the best that I can be, and as a manager keep improving and keep pushing up the table to get to where everyone wants to get to - the promised land."