Frank Lampard is named Coventry City’s new manager as the former Chelsea boss returns to the dugout 18 months after leaving Stamford Bridge

Frank Lampard has been confirmed as the new manager of Championship side Coventry City.

The 46-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half year contract with the Sky Blues who currently sit 17th in England’s second tier. 

Lampard, who has previously managed Chelsea, Everton and Derby County, has not been seen in the dugout in 18 months following his second spell at Stamford Bridge when he replaced Graham Potter at the end of the 2022-23 season on an interim basis. 

Upon appointing Lampard, Coventry owner Doug King said: ‘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 replaces Mark Robins following his sacking earlier this month, and will be supported by coaches Joe Edwards and Chris Jones, who he has worked with before.

He is set to speak to the media for the first time since taking charge of Coventry on Thursday afternoon. 

Lampard has a mixed record as a manager since taking his first job at Derby in 2018. In his only season at the club, Lampard led Derby to the Championship play-off final but they were beaten by Aston Villa at Wembley as the Rams fell short in their quest for promotion. 

He was subsequently handed the reins at Chelsea after starring at the club as a player for over a decade and secured Champions League qualification in his first season.

However, things quickly went downhill in the following campaign, and he was sacked in January 2021 after a poor run of results.

His replacement, Thomas Tuchel, led Chelsea to Champions League glory a little over four months later.

Lampard was handed another Premier League job 12 months after leaving Chelsea as Everton turned to him to keep them in the top flight.

The Toffees secured their Premier League status by winning their penultimate game of the season against Crystal Palace, but struggled in the first part of the next campaign and Lampard was fired in January 2023.

He returned to Chelsea for the final part of the 2022-23 season after a disastrous start to the Todd Boehly era, but was unable to turn the club’s fortunes around as he won just one of his 11 games in charge.

More to follow…