Frank Lampard seeks redemption as Coventry City manager

Frank Lampard is looking to regain his footing and restore his image as a manager as he returns to the challenging environment of the Championship with Coventry City.

Lampard's most recent stint was when he departed from Chelsea a year and a half ago after a disappointing temporary role. This unfortunate comeback for a club icon saw him manage just one victory and face eight losses in an 11-match tenure.

The 46-year-old is back with a determined Coventry City, facing what appears to be a crucial opportunity in his career. After experiencing ups and downs at Derby County, Chelsea, and Everton, his return to Stamford Bridge only sparked more doubts about his capabilities.

Lampard not only needs to find those solutions after being sought out by Coventry owner Doug King, but he also has to demonstrate that he can be a fitting replacement for the beloved Mark Robins. Robins led the Sky Blues just one match away from the Premier League, losing to Luton Town in the 2023 play-off final at Wembley.

The Robins had an incredible journey in last season's FA Cup, reaching the semifinals before falling just short of the final. They lost to Manchester United in a penalty shootout after making an impressive comeback from a 3-0 deficit.

This puts a lot of pressure on Lampard, as well as King, the individual responsible for his hiring. King has faced significant backlash from certain groups of Coventry fans for letting Robins go.

King has put a lot of trust in Lampard, and the feeling is mutual. The owner of Coventry stated, "Frank gained valuable experience in the Championship and understands what it takes to achieve success in this league."

"His time at Chelsea and Everton will equip him with the knowledge necessary to help our skilled team understand what it takes to succeed at the highest level that we, as a club, aim to achieve."

Along with Robins leaving, King has made significant changes to the club's management since taking charge. Chief executive Dave Boddy stepped down in January after serving for seven years, and chief commercial officer Tynan Scope left the organization in September.

Lampard's arrival contributes to the feeling of a new beginning at Coventry.

A closer look at Lampard's time as a manager indicates that he has valuable insights to share. As one of the top players of his era, he faces challenges similar to those of his England teammates, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard. Many critics doubt his coaching abilities, arguing that his appointments are based more on his fame than on his actual accomplishments.

Frank Lampard began his coaching career at Derby County, where he led the team to the Championship play-off final in 2019, but unfortunately, they were defeated by Aston Villa.

He was later drawn back to Chelsea, where he had achieved a legendary status as the club’s top goalscorer, netting 211 goals in 648 matches. During his time there, he also collected 11 major trophies, including three Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2012.

During his inaugural season as Chelsea's manager, Frank Lampard faced a challenging situation due to a FIFA transfer ban related to violations in recruiting young players. Additionally, the club lost their star player, Eden Hazard, who transferred to Real Madrid. Despite these setbacks, Lampard successfully led the team back to the Champions League and also guided them to the FA Cup Final, where they were defeated by Arsenal.

Lampard's dedication to playing an exciting style of football, along with his legendary status at the club, was appreciated by fans. However, after experiencing five losses in eight Premier League matches, he was dismissed by Chelsea's owner at the time, Roman Abramovich, in January 2021.

A lot of people viewed Lampard's firing as unfair, but he was aware of the expectations that come with being Chelsea's manager under the tough Russian ownership. He had experienced these realities as a player for long enough.

When Thomas Tuchel took over as England's new manager and quickly won the Champions League, many used this success to criticize Lampard.

He accomplished a lot during his time at Stamford Bridge, finishing with 44 victories out of 84 matches, which gives him a commendable win percentage of 52.4%.

A year later, Lampard returned to the scene as he took over from the dismissed Rafael Benitez at Everton. Evaluating his tenure at Goodison Park requires understanding the turmoil surrounding the club, which was still dealing with the unrest caused by owner Farhad Moshiri's contentious choice to hire the ex-Liverpool manager Benitez.

Lampard quickly became a beloved figure among fans, fully embracing the club's culture and actively connecting with its supporters.

His transparent attitude played a significant role in mending some of the scars left by the Benitez era at Everton. When he took charge, he managed to secure the team's place in the Premier League during a thrilling match at Goodison Park, where they staged a comeback from a two-goal deficit to defeat Crystal Palace.

After showing some potential at the start of the next season, Everton's fortunes took a turn for the worse, leading to a downward spiral. As a result, Lampard was dismissed from his position after barely a year, with the team sitting in the second-to-last spot in the Premier League.

Lampard might see his second stint as Chelsea's interim manager as a case of emotions taking over logic. He ended up losing despite being in a situation where it seemed he had nothing at stake.

Similar to Rooney's journey with Plymouth Argyle, Lampard has certainly not allowed his past setbacks to deter him from demonstrating to his critics that he can succeed as a manager.

He will have considered his next major decision thoroughly. He recognizes the opportunities at Coventry but understands that he can't afford to make another mistake.

Lampard has shown humility and a practical mindset by going back to the league where he began his journey as a manager. He is embarking on a personal comeback, fully aware that failing is not an option for him.

He will also be aware, based on past experiences with Derby County, that escaping from this league is extremely challenging.

The goal will be to enhance a skilled team that hasn't been reaching its potential, resulting in their current position of 17th in the Championship, just two points clear of the relegation zone.

King firmly thinks that Lampard can unlock even greater performance from the team he takes over. The players have already demonstrated their capabilities by securing a 3-0 victory against Middlesbrough and making a comeback from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Luton Town 3-2. They've also managed to earn draws against teams like Sunderland and Sheffield United, who are both in the race for promotion.

Lampard previously collaborated with Coventry forward Ellis Simms during their time at Everton, and he knows the player has the potential to be a significant impact in the Championship. While Simms has had some ups and downs in terms of performance, Lampard will aim to help him reach his full potential as a skilled 23-year-old.

He has demonstrated a commitment to nurturing and promoting young players at his previous teams, so he will likely pay close attention to Norman Bassette, 20, especially after his goal against Sheffield United.

Brandon Thomas-Asante's transfer from West Brom last summer hasn't quite met the anticipated results so far. Lampard is counting on both Thomas-Asante and U.S. international Haji Wright to bring extra firepower to the team.

Lampard might also have to focus on improving Coventry's defense, which has been overly lenient since they rejoined the Championship. In the 204 matches they've played since their return in the 2020-21 season, Coventry has netted 261 goals while allowing 251 to slip past them, achieving 59 clean sheets along the way.

Coventry is currently 10 points away from the play-off spots, so this season might just be about steadying the ship with the players available to him.

However, Lampard has a strong desire to succeed, and his reputation in the sport could draw players who might not have considered joining the club in the past.

Lampard, supported by King following a two-and-a-half-year contract, has the advantage of working with his reliable assistant team, including Joe Edwards and Chris Jones. He will have flexibility in January since Coventry does not have any players currently on loan.

The responsibility now falls on Lampard to produce results.