Frank Lampard: Coventry appoint former Chelsea and Everton boss as successor to Mark Robins

Frank Lampard has taken on the role of head coach at Coventry City.

The 46-year-old has agreed to a two-and-a-half-year deal and will be accompanied by coaches Joe Edwards and Chris Jones, both of whom he has collaborated with in the past.

On his first day in the position, Lampard shared with the club's website: "I remember a time when Coventry was thriving, so being appointed as the head coach is a significant opportunity for me."

Mark [Robins] has done impressive work, and Doug King is currently playing a significant role at the club. This is an ambitious organization with aspirations for progress, and I’m eager to contribute in any way I can.

For a few weeks, there was quite a bit of talk and guesswork, but it’s crucial to emphasize that the club was genuinely focused on figuring out the best path ahead. I've spoken with the owner and key individuals within the organization.

"I have a clear understanding of my work style and coaching approach, shaped by my experiences over the past four to five years."

Coventry City owner and executive chairman Doug King expressed his excitement, stating, "I’m thrilled that Frank Lampard has decided to become our head coach. He gained valuable experience in the Championship and understands what it takes to thrive in this league."

His time at Chelsea and Everton will provide him with valuable insights that he can share with our skilled team, helping us understand what it takes to succeed at the highest level that we aim to achieve as a club.

The Sky Blues ended their collaboration with Mark Robins earlier this month after he had been at the helm for seven years.

Lampard has been unemployed since parting ways with Chelsea for the second time. He was brought in as an interim manager after Graham Potter was dismissed in 2023.

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"Last Shot For Lampard? Coventry Awaits"

Coventry City could potentially offer Frank Lampard one final opportunity to manage in England. It's essential for him to succeed, given Mark Robins' strong reputation among the supporters and the high hopes of the club's owners, according to Simeon Gholam, the EFL editor at Sky Sports.

When Coventry City parted ways with Mark Robins, who is regarded as one of their finest managers, few could have anticipated that Frank Lampard would be the next person to take charge at the CBS Arena.

To be honest, and I apologize for the play on words, it didn't appear that Lampard would have another opportunity in this country anytime soon.

His management journey began on a positive note in the Championship with Derby County. There, he assembled a squad featuring loan players like Fikayo Tomori, Mason Mount, and Harry Wilson, but they ultimately fell short of promotion, losing to Aston Villa in the play-off final.

After an outstanding inaugural season at Chelsea, where he guided a young squad to a fourth-place finish despite losing Eden Hazard and facing a transfer ban, things began to fall apart the next year.

The 46-year-old has been away from coaching for a year and a half. Given the many chances available to someone so renowned in the sport, it would be understandable if he chose not to return.

It's evident, though, that Lampard has a different vision. He is committed to achieving success.

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Merson: Lampard Benefits As English Coach

Paul Merson from Sky Sports shared his thoughts during The Football Show:

I really appreciate Frank as a manager. Many seem to overlook his accomplishments during his first stint at Chelsea. Despite facing a transfer ban, he successfully developed some outstanding players.

I believe this is a solid position for him. I see potential for them to turn things around; Coventry is currently not where they should be. If they start winning consistently, they might even have a shot at the play-offs. There's still plenty of time left in the Championship season.

We're referring to Tim Walter, the young coach at Hull, who joined the team from Turkey. It's a challenging environment; this league is the second highest in the world, and there's nothing quite like it.

When you look at Serie A and LaLiga, you'll find that the leagues beneath them don’t come close in quality. Understanding football is essential; having that expertise is crucial, and being an English manager can also give you an advantage.

There's no time to ease into things; the matches are coming at you quickly. With international breaks done until March, the schedule is non-stop.

"I've participated in this league a few times, and the matches come at you quickly. The same goes for players; when you sign someone from abroad, you need to allow them some time to adjust. However, with a schedule of games on Saturday, Tuesday, and Saturday, there’s no room for that."

Before being dismissed by Coventry following a 2-1 loss at home to Derby County, Robins had held the position of manager in English football for the third longest time.

Robins became part of the team in 2017 and helped elevate them from League Two to the Championship. In 2023, they nearly reached the Premier League, falling short in the Championship play-off final with a narrow 1-0 loss to Luton.

Regarding the decision to let Robins go, King mentioned, "I hardly slept at all that night."

I was pondering whether it was the right time and if I should really go through with it. But honestly, deep down, I understood it was the right choice.

I really wanted to shake things up a bit and announce that we’re going to shift our approach. We can’t simply believe that everything will improve on its own and expect to rise through the league and reach the playoffs. We need to take charge and actively work towards making it happen.

Clearly, the unexpected news has caught both the club members and outsiders off guard. The response has been somewhat greater than I expected.

To be honest, I found it difficult to do that because I have a lot of affection for Mark. I recognize his contributions and the admiration he has earned here, and I truly wish I hadn't been put in that situation.

Coventry began their new chapter without Robins, with interim manager Carr guiding the team to a 2-2 tie against Championship leaders Sunderland on Saturday.