Ex-Portsmouth, Nottingham Forest, Stoke and Birmingham boss Steve Cotterill leaves hospital

The Shrewsbury spent 33 days in Bristol Royal Infirmary Hospital, including a period in intensive care.

Remarkably, Cotterill continued to oversee first-team duties while recovering from coronavirus.

The ex-Bristol City and Birmingham supremo masterminded Shrewsbury's climb out of the League One relegation zone and up to 17th spot.

During Cotterill's time away from the dugout, the New Meadow outfit engineered league wins over promotion-chasing pair Sunderland and Peterborough, along with Swindon.

A Shrewsbury statement said: ‘Shrewsbury Town Football Club is delighted to announce that manager Steve Cotterill has today returned home after 33 days in Bristol Royal Infirmary Hospital - including a spell in the intensive care init.

‘After testing positive for Covid019 on January 1, Town's manager then went through a 10-day self-isolation period whilst in Shrewsbury, before returning home to Bristol. Steve then became very poorly and had to be admitted to the hospital.

‘He now will go through a period of rehabilitation and will continue working remotely with his coaching Staff and players before returning full-time to the Sundorne Training Ground.

‘Steve would like to thank Dr.Katrina Curtis for her excellent medical diagnosis and the nurses on A800 ward that took care of him during his stay.

‘Finally, Steve would also like to thank everybody for the overwhelming messages of love & support that have come from inside and outside of football - he will endeavour to get back to those people now he is feeling well enough.’

Cotterill may be in the Shrewsbury dugout for Pompey’s trip to New Meadow on Saturday, March 27.