Frank Lampard is poised to make his managerial comeback with Championship side Coventry City, marking his first return to the dugout since departing Chelsea as interim boss at the end of the 2022-23 season.
The 46-year-old, who has spent the past year in punditry roles, is reportedly in advanced talks with Coventry, a club struggling for form just months after a remarkable FA Cup semi-final run.
According to The Telegraph, Lampard’s appointment is seen as a bold move to steady the ship after a turbulent start to the season.
The Sky Blues parted ways with Mark Robins on November 7 after securing only four wins from their first 14 Championship matches.
Robins, a popular figure at the club, had led Coventry to the 2022-23 play-off final and played a pivotal role in their recent successes. However, a poor start to the current campaign prompted club owner Doug King to act.
“I cannot have the risk of us getting relegated. Nobody thought Birmingham would get relegated – and they did. The next appointment is very important,” King explained.
“You can argue that this was a big mistake [to sack Robins]. But I had to do something. And everybody will make their judgment clear.”
Lampard, no stranger to the Championship, previously guided Derby County to the 2019 play-off final, earning a reputation as a promising young manager.
His achievements at Derby paved the way for a return to Chelsea, where he took charge of the club in 2019.
A Mixed Managerial Record
As a player, Lampard was a Premier League icon, becoming Chelsea’s all-time top scorer. Yet his managerial career has been far more tumultuous.
After retiring, Lampard began working with Chelsea’s youth academy before taking the Derby County job in 2018. In one season, he led Derby to the play-off final, where they narrowly lost to Aston Villa.
His record of 24 wins in 57 games, coupled with his ability to develop young talent, made him an attractive prospect for Chelsea, who appointed him in 2019.
At Stamford Bridge, Lampard faced mixed fortunes. Despite being praised for promoting academy graduates like Mason Mount and Reece James, results were inconsistent.
His first season saw a fourth-place finish and an FA Cup final, but disagreements over transfer policy and a dip in form led to his dismissal in January 2021, with Chelsea in ninth place. Thomas Tuchel succeeded him and promptly won the Champions League.
Lampard’s next challenge came at Everton, where he managed to stave off relegation with a dramatic win against Crystal Palace in May 2022. However, his tenure ended in January 2023, with the Toffees in the drop zone.
He briefly returned to Chelsea as interim manager following Graham Potter’s sacking but managed just one win from 11 games.
A Crucial Task at Coventry
Lampard now faces the daunting challenge of revitalising a Coventry side desperate to avoid a relegation battle. While Robins’ sacking divided fans, King is banking on Lampard’s Championship experience and leadership to restore confidence.
Coventry’s next matches will provide a stern test for the new manager, but for Lampard, this role represents an opportunity to rebuild his reputation and prove he can deliver success in the dugout as he did so often on the pitch.
