Michael Beale's reign as Sunderland boss began badly as Coventry cruised to victory at the Stadium of Light.
Beale, who succeeded Tony Mowbray earlier this week, watched his new side concede a scrappy goal to Tatsuhiro Sakamoto on the stroke of half-time.
The Sky Blues soaked up pressure after the break before stretching their lead through Callum O'Hare.
Substitute Kasey Palmer soon added Coventry's third as Beale's side missed their chance to climb to sixth place.
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Beale made just a single, enforced change to the Sunderland line-up, replacing the unwell Alex Pritchard with Jobe Bellingham, whose elder brother Jude was among the crowd.