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

Frank Lampard has been named the new head coach of Coventry City.

The 46-year-old has agreed to a two-and-a-half-year deal to take over from Mark Robins, who was let go earlier this month after holding the position for seven years.

Lampard has been without a job since he parted ways with Chelsea for the second time, after stepping in as interim manager when Graham Potter was dismissed in 2023.

However, during a press conference on Thursday, the ex-England midfielder stated that he felt "rejuvenated and prepared to start."

"I'm really excited to be here. I have a lot of admiration for this club because of its rich history and traditions," Lampard remarked.

I was raised during a time when Coventry was quite successful, so being appointed as head coach means a lot to me.

"The efforts put in by Mark [Robins] and the initiatives Doug King is leading at the club showcase a strong drive for progress. This is a club with big aspirations, and I'm eager to contribute in any way I can."

For several weeks, there was plenty of discussion and rumors, but it's crucial to emphasize that the club was following a transparent procedure to determine the best path ahead. I've talked with the owner and key figures at the club.

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

"Exciting Fans Is My Goal"

Regarding the playing style he aims to establish, Lampard mentioned: "Ultimately, I aspire to create a thrilling, offensive team for the fans to enjoy. A team that focuses on maintaining possession but also looks to launch quick attacks when the opportunity arises."

"My goal is to energize the fans, and that's definitely what I'm aiming for. Naturally, we also aspire to be a competitive team that strives to regain possession of the ball quickly in the opponent's half."

Coventry City’s owner and executive chairman Doug King expressed his enthusiasm, saying: "I’m really pleased that Frank Lampard has decided to become our head coach. He has experience in the Championship and understands what it takes to succeed 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, which is what our club aims for."

Lampard will be accompanied by coaches Joe Edwards and Chris Jones, both of whom he has collaborated with in the past.

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Last Chance For Lampard? Coventry May Seal His Fate

Coventry City could be giving Frank Lampard one final opportunity to manage in England. It's crucial for him to succeed, particularly given the respect Mark Robins has earned from fans and the high expectations from the club's owners, according to Simeon Gholam, the EFL editor for Sky Sports.

When Coventry City decided to part ways with Mark Robins, who is regarded as one of their best managers ever, very few people would have anticipated that Frank Lampard would be the one to take over at the CBS Arena.

To be honest, and I apologize for the pun, it seemed improbable that Lampard would receive another opportunity in this country anytime soon.

He began his management career on solid ground at the Championship with Derby County. There, he formed a team featuring loan players like Fikayo Tomori, Mason Mount, and Harry Wilson. Ultimately, they fell short in the play-off final against Aston Villa, missing the opportunity for promotion.

After a remarkable debut season at Chelsea, during which 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 following year.

The 46-year-old hasn't been involved in management for a year and a half. Given the numerous options available to a football legend like him, it would be understandable if he chose not to return.

It’s obvious that Lampard has a different vision in mind. He is committed to achieving success.

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Merson: Lampard's Edge As English Coach

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

I really admire Frank as a manager. Many seem to overlook his accomplishments during his first stint at Chelsea. He managed to work wonders despite a transfer ban, bringing some incredible talent into the team.

"I believe this is a solid team effort. I think he has the potential to get them moving in the right direction. Coventry is currently underperforming and might be able to put together a winning streak. If that happens, there's a chance they could find themselves in the playoff picture, considering there's still plenty of time left in the Championship season."

We’re discussing Tim Walter, the manager at Hull, who arrived from Germany. It’s a tough challenge; this league is the second strongest in the world, and there’s really no other league quite like it.

When you look at Serie A and LaLiga, the leagues beneath them just don't compare in terms of quality. It's essential to understand the game deeply and possess the necessary expertise, and being an English manager can definitely be an advantage.

There's no time to relax; the matches keep coming one after another. The international breaks are done until March, and the pace is unyielding.

"I’ve participated in this league a few times, and the matches come at you quickly. The same goes for players; when you bring in someone from abroad, they need time to adjust. However, you don’t really get that chance when you’re scheduled to play on Saturdays and Tuesdays."

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

Robins became a member of the club in 2017 and successfully led them from League Two to the Championship. In 2023, they came just one game short of reaching the Premier League, losing 1-0 to Luton in the playoff final for the second tier.

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

I was considering in my head whether it was the right time and if my decision was the right one, but honestly, I knew deep down that it was the correct choice to make.

"I felt a strong need to shake things up a bit and communicate, 'We are going to shift our approach.' We can't simply hope that everything will improve on its own and that we'll climb the standings and be in playoff contention. We have to take charge of the situation and make it happen ourselves."

It's clear that the news caught both the club and those outside of it off guard. The response has been even stronger than I expected.

To be honest, I found it difficult to carry that out because I genuinely like Mark. I'm aware of his contributions and the esteem he holds among us, and I truly wish I hadn’t had to face that situation.

Coventry kicked off their campaign without Robins by securing a 2-2 draw against Sunderland, who are currently at the top of the Championship, last Saturday.