New Delhi: Coventry City have appointed former Chelsea and Everton manager Frank Lampard as their new head coach following the dismissal of long-serving manager Mark Robins. The former England International has been appointed on a two and a half year deal, which will see him stay in charge of the club till the end of the 2026/2027 season. The Englishman was appointed in lieu of The Sky Blues’ struggles for form.
The West Midlands club are currently in a spot of bother as they occupy the 17th place in the EFL Championship table and are only two points above the relegation zone. Robins, who had been in charge of the club for the last seven years, was let go after he could only lead them to four wins in 17 matches. Lampard’s appointment makes him the first new head coach under the ownership of Doug King, who acquired the club in January 2023.
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Frank Lampard as Head Coach. ⤵️
— Coventry City (@Coventry_City) November 28, 2024
This role also marks a return to management for the legendary midfielder after he was seen largely working as pundit since his role as Chelsea’s caretaker manager ended in 2023. That was the 46-year-old’s second spell at the club where he made his name and came directly after his stint at another Premier League club. Lampard returns to the Championship with a wealth of experience under his belt with the Coventry City role being his fifth in management.
Coventry owner King expressed excitement over Frank Lampard’s appointment as head coach, highlighting his valuable Championship experience and Premier League stints. King believes Lampard’s knowledge will guide the squad in their pursuit of top-tier success, describing him as someone who “knows what is needed in this league to be successful.” His exact words following the appointment were, “I am delighted that Frank Lampard has agreed to join our club as head coach.”
Frank Lampard’s managerial career
Lampard started his managerial career in the second tier of English football with the former midfielder taking charge of Championship club Derby County back in 2018 and spent the best time of his managerial career with the Rams. He took Derby to the promotion playoffs in his first and only season at the club but fell to Aston Villa at the final hurdle and couldn’t get them promoted.
However, he did enough to earn plaudits from all around and that led to Premier League giants and Lampard’s beloved Chelsea, who came calling for the now 46-year-old as they were on the look out for a new manager as well following the departure of Maurizio Sarri. Lampard had a brilliant first season at Stamford Bridge as he took a Chelsea side that were hit with a transfer ban and had just seen star player Eden Hazard depart and guided them to a top four finish and an FA Cup final.
Frank Lampard is in the running to take over as Coventry City head coach…
His managerial career so far in numbers 🔢👇 pic.twitter.com/2irBGpXnd6
— OJ (@_Omoruyi_) November 19, 2024
Things turned sour in his second season following heavy investment in the summer and after a run of two wins in eight games, Lampard was unceremoniously sacked in January 2021. A year after he was sacked from the Chelsea role, Lampard was once again back in the Premier League, this time with another team that plays in blue, Everton. He came in when the club were languishing in 16th place and guided them to safety that season, something that looked a distant possibility before his appointment.
Once again in January, he was sacked from his role at Everton following another relegation battle but he did a better job at the club than what he is given credit for considering the turmoil that was taking place at the Merseyside club. He came for an interim spell at Chelsea during a period of turmoil for the club when the club was going through a transition period and had a disastrous spell. However, that was more due to off-field factors than on-field ones.
Former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard makes a return to management with Coventry City after being away from the game since his spell as Chelsea caretaker manager ended in 2023 Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
