Frank Lampard has been appointed as the new head coach of Coventry City, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract. The former England midfielder, who has managed Derby County, Chelsea, and Everton, takes over from Mark Robins, who was controversially sacked earlier this month.
Lampard’s appointment marks his return to management after a difficult second stint at Chelsea, where he was dismissed as interim boss in 2023.
Coventry City owner and executive chairman Doug King expressed his excitement at the appointment, stating:
“I am delighted that Frank Lampard has agreed to join our club as head coach. Frank cut his teeth in the Championship and knows what is needed in this league to be successful. His experiences thereafter at Chelsea and Everton will ensure he brings to our talented squad clear understanding of exactly what is needed to succeed at the very top level that we as a club are striving to reach.”
Lampard has been out of work since his brief and challenging second spell at Chelsea, which followed his departure from Everton in early 2023. He will take charge of the Sky Blues for the first time in their upcoming home match against Cardiff City on Saturday. His return to the managerial ranks is seen as a crucial opportunity to rebuild his coaching career.
Former Coventry City defender Stuart Pearce expressed his delight at Lampard’s return to management, highlighting his experience and understanding of the game.
Pearce said:
“He understood the game, he had a head way above its weight in years and things haven’t changed over time. He’s bright as a button, he knows the game and for me I’m pleased to see him back in management if that is to be the case.”
Pearce also praised the work done by Mark Robins during his tenure, acknowledging the challenges Robins faced at the club.
He noted: “I think only last year or the year before, I voted for Mark Robins as Manager of the Year, I thought he did an incredible job at that club. It’s not an easy club to manage, there’s not a wealth of money available there and these signings have been great. They lost a couple of players this summer which has been costly but the one thing you know is that Mark Robins is out there, he’s an outstanding manager and if anyone wants a manager, he certainly would fit the bill to that.”
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Lampard’s managerial career has had its ups and downs. After a promising first season at Derby County, where he led the team to the Championship play-off final, he was appointed Chelsea manager in 2019.
However, he was dismissed after 18 months with Chelsea sitting in ninth place in the Premier League, only for his successor, Thomas Tuchel, to lead the team to a Champions League title later that year. Lampard’s time at Everton was similarly brief, and he was sacked in early 2023 after a poor run of results.
Despite these setbacks, Lampard’s pedigree as a player—he is Chelsea’s all-time leading goalscorer—remains unquestioned, and Coventry City will be hoping he can restore his managerial reputation and help guide the club to success in the Championship.
Pearce, who made 52 appearances for Coventry City during his playing career, was speaking at Shefford Sports Ground, where he helped launch the FA’s ‘Greener Game’ campaign in partnership with E.ON. The campaign is designed to promote sustainability within grassroots football.
As Lampard embarks on his new chapter with Coventry City, expectations will be high, and the club will be hoping that his experience in the Championship and at top-flight clubs like Chelsea and Everton can help propel them back into contention for promotion.
