Frank Lampard, the legendary England and Chelsea midfielder, looks set to make his long-awaited return to management, with reports indicating that he is the leading candidate to take over at Championship side Coventry City.
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Lampard, 46, has been out of work since his tumultuous spell as Chelsea’s interim manager ended following the 2022-23 season. He had been linked with various managerial roles since then, including a potential move to Roma, but now he is reportedly on the verge of a return to the dugout in the English second tier.
According to The Mirror, Coventry City owner Doug King is eager to bring in an “established name” to replace Mark Robins, who was unexpectedly sacked last week after a highly successful seven-and-a-half-year tenure at the CBS Arena.
Lampard, who has always expressed a desire to revive his managerial career, is reportedly the favorite to take over, and his appointment could be made during the upcoming international break. If confirmed, his first match in charge will be at home against Sheffield United on November 23.
Mark Robins, who led Coventry to promotions from League Two and League One, as well as an impressive Championship play-off final in 2023, left the club with the Sky Blues sitting in 17th place in the league.
However, they were only seven points away from the playoff spots, sparking debate and criticism regarding Robins’ dismissal. Last season, Coventry also made an extraordinary run to the FA Cup semi-finals, nearly pulling off a remarkable comeback against Manchester United before losing in a penalty shootout.
Lampard’s managerial journey has been a rollercoaster ride. He began his managerial career in 2018 with Derby County, guiding them to the Championship play-off final in his first season, although they lost to Aston Villa.
This earned him a return to Chelsea, where, despite an early run to the FA Cup final, his team’s form faltered, leading to his sacking in January 2021. His next venture, a stint at Everton, started with success as he saved the club from relegation but ended poorly, with Lampard being dismissed in January 2023 after a string of disappointing results.
In the summer of 2023, Lampard made an ill-fated return to Chelsea as interim manager after Graham Potter was sacked. Despite high hopes, Lampard managed to win just one of his 11 matches in charge, and Chelsea finished the season in the bottom half of the Premier League for the first time since 1996.
Despite these setbacks, Lampard is now poised to begin a new chapter in his managerial career with Coventry City, a club with a rich history of overcoming adversity and achieving success under Robins’ leadership.
Stay tuned for updates on what could be a pivotal moment in Lampard’s managerial career as he looks to reignite his journey in the Championship with Coventry.