'Frank Lampard could win Championship Manager of the Year with Coventry job'

26/04/2025 04:00

Frank Lampard has done a remarkable job since he took over as manager of Coventry City manager earlier this season.

The ex-England international had seen his managerial reputation take a blow with his last two appointments, finding things tough at Everton before a disastrous interim spell at former club Chelsea.

As a result, there were suggestions Lampard could see his managerial career ended by failing with Coventry, after he was appointed by the club back in November.

So far though, things have gone in very much the opposite direction to that for the 46-year-old during his time in charge at the CBS Arena.

Troy Deeney hails Frank Lampard

At the time of his appointment, the Sky Blues sat 17th in the Championship table, just two points clear of the relegation zone.

Under their new manager they have undergone a significant upturn in form, with Coventry claiming some dramatic wins under Lampard.

The former Chelsea midfielder has revealed talks with Man City manager Pep Guardiola and Brentford’s Thomas Frank have also helped him to turn things around.

As a result, Coventry are now sat in a Championship play-off spot with just two games of the regular season remaining.

That has led Troy Deeney to suggest that Lampard could be Manager of the Year in the Championship if he secures a top six spot, also backing his side to win promotion via the play-offs.

After being asked on talkSPORT if the Sky Blues boss has restored his reputation or simply found his level as a manager, the former Watford and Birmingham striker said: “No, reputation restored.

“I think what it would actually do is it would be putting him up there potentially for manager of the season in the Championship as well.

“Like you said when he went in they were fighting relegation. He’s tweaked it, not only tweaked it from a playing style, but got the best out of the strikers, Haji Wright, for example.

“They’ve all just gone to another level under Frank and you wouldn’t want to play that team in the [play-off] final. Because they’ve been there against Man United not too long ago, so the arena won’t be too big.

“They’ve had heartache as well when they lost to Luton not too long ago on pens, so they will have all that experience going in their favour.

“I would like to see Coventry back up, I think Frank’s done a great job. But the Championship, the reason we love it is because you never know what’s going to happen.”

Coventry manager has rivals for award

Football Insider Verdict

There is no denying that Lampard deserves to be a candidate for Manager of the Year in the Championship for what he has done at the CBS Arena.

Many felt Coventry had made the wrong move in sacking his long-serving and popular predecessor, Mark Robins, so this move was a gamble for everyone involved.

It is therefore credit to Lampard he has gone in and turned things around to get Coventry into the position they are while winning the fanbase over.

However there are plenty of other contenders for that award in the Championship, with Leeds’ Daniel Farke and Burnley’s Scott Parker sure to be in the running after winning automatic promotion.

Bristol City manager Liam Manning has done incredibly well to get his side into play-off contention as well, while John Eustace has excelled first with an unfancied Blackburn and now a struggling Derby.

With that in mind, Lampard may need to win promotion rather than simply reach the top six if he is secure recognition as Championship Manager of the Year in the eyes of many.

The post 'Frank Lampard could win Championship Manager of the Year with Coventry job' appeared first on Football Insider.