After Coventry City’s defeat against Queens Park Rangers at the end of January, pivotal action from Frank Lampard set the stage for the club’s historic return to the Premier League after 25 years.
Facing a streak of seven winless away games and the collapse of a 10-point lead, the Sky Blues, long-time leaders in the league, seemed ready to accept a spot in the play-offs. Even the senior members of the club were starting to voice concerns about their fate.
Instead of overhauling the team’s strategy, Lampard chose a different path. After the loss at Loftus Road, his message was straightforward: “Stay calm.” The ex-Chelsea and Everton manager reassured his squad of their Championship prowess, urging them to remember their strong position despite the recent setbacks. Lampard’s faith paid off as Coventry triumphantly won eight of the following ten matches, clinching their promotion at Blackburn and marking the end of their long absence from the top tier.
Reaching the Premier League is a formidable challenge even for the most well-managed clubs, but Coventry achieved it while teetering on the brink of financial disaster more than once. During the years they were absent from the top flight, the club’s survival was often uncertain. They even had to host games in Northampton and Birmingham. Remarkably, under the leadership of former boss Robins, they secured the League One title while playing at St Andrew’s.
“Given everything this club has endured, it’s essential for the fans to revel in this success and for the players to savor the moment,” Lampard expressed. “They deserve to enjoy this triumph. The past 25 years have amplified the significance of this achievement. Our fanbase is extraordinary, both at home and away.”
Frank Lampard has masterminded Coventry’s return to the Premier League, and could well be rewarded with a new contract
Despite a blip in form in January, the Sky Blues have roared back and are now promoted with games to spare
‘There have been tough times that I can’t describe too much because I wasn’t here, but I’ve read about what the club and fans have been through, playing home games at different stadiums, and that makes it even more special. It’s very rare now for teams who go through this journey to get back to the Premier League and the fans are the first ones who should enjoy it.’
Here, Daily Mail Sport goes behind the scenes of Coventry’s triumphant march to the top flight – and how they plan to stay there.
How has Lampard done it?
Speak to insiders about Lampard and they stress how calm he has stayed throughout the season. Perhaps during his early days as a manager, Lampard would struggle to hide his emotions from his players. That is no longer a problem these days with Lampard providing the anchor throughout the ups and downs. Lampard signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Sky Blues when he replaced Robins and it would be no surprise to see him offered a new contract in the days ahead.
In an interview with Daily Mail Sport in February, the 47-year-old admitted: ‘Sometimes I still feel like I’m a young manager.’ But he is far from it. After working for Derby, Chelsea – twice – and Everton as well as Coventry, Lampard is closing in on the 300-game mark. In all likelihood, he will cross that barrier as a Premier League boss again and what a story it will be. He has already identified improvements that must be made to the training ground and these discussions will intensify in the days ahead.
Lampard has said publicly that he has never known a better spirit within a squad and the dynamic seems perfect. Most of these players have never experienced top-flight football, whereas their boss is one of the Premier League’s greatest. Respect is automatic. When he speaks, they listen.
Lampard places a great deal of trust in his coaching lieutenants, Joe Edwards and Chris Jones, explaining to them what he would like from a training session, and letting them plan it accordingly. Lampard is heavily involved in the sessions, though, particularly in the tactical work towards the end of a week.
When the players practise their finishing after the session has ended, Lampard – who scored 305 goals in more than 1,000 appearances for club and country – will usually remain to observe and offer advice. Training is strong on detail, with players given extensive briefings before each fixture on the strengths and weaknesses of their direct opponents.
Though there have been more individual and collective meetings than under Robins, these have been shorter, with Lampard focusing on three or four key messages and drilling them repeatedly. He likes to hold separate group discussions with defenders, midfielders and forwards.
Lampard enjoys giving advice to players doing extra work on finishing, with Jack Rudoni one of those to flourish under his tutelage
It’s been 25 long years since the Sky Blues were in the top flight, having been relegated in 2001 after 34 years at the top
The key men
An attacking midfielder like his manager, Jack Rudoni is just one player who has spent hours evaluating his game with Lampard and Edwards, identifying areas for improvement, such as the timing of his runs into the penalty area. Rudoni’s two goals in the 3-2 win over Derby on Good Friday proved the hard work is paying off.
Matt Grimes has been the ideal leader. When he joined the club from Swansea, the midfielder did not feel inclined to accept the designated captain’s parking space at the training ground – until Lampard told him otherwise. Here was a key senior player who considered himself a standard member of the group. It is the sort of small gesture that works wonders for team spirit.
The goalkeeping of Carl Rushworth, Bobby Thomas’ defending, Rudoni’s decisive contributions and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto’s wizardry have taken the headlines. Yet those who have featured much less have been just as important.
Joel Latibeaudiere missed the early part of the season with a knee injury and when he was fit again, he could not dislodge Thomas or Liam Kitching from central defence. Instead of sulking, Latibeaudiere pushed the starting pair in training and took on a leadership role within the squad. When he finally had his chance around the turn of the year, Latibeaudiere has not looked back.
Between them, Jake Bidwell and Jamie Allen have started only six league games. In their position, many would ease off. Instead, Lampard has praised both publicly for their attitude in training and on matchdays.
It is worth looking back at the parts of games this season when Coventry were under the cosh. At those times, you would often see Allen and Bidwell leave the bench to warm up, allowing them to pass on advice and encouragement to those on the pitch. With back-up players like these, no wonder Lampard rates the squad’s mentality so highly.
On-loan Brighton goalkeeper Carl Rushworth has been crucial for Coventry, and nominated for Championship Player of the Season
Tatsuhiro Sakamoto has been another key player, scoring seven times from midfield
Joel Latibeaudiere lost his place after an injury at the start of the season but has fought his way back into the starting line-up
What’s next?
The Coventry XI that starts the Premier League season in August will likely look very different from the one that got them there.
A priority will be to secure a permanent deal – or at least another season’s loan – for Rushworth. Brought in from Brighton, he has been among their most important players this term. So too has midfielder Frank Onyeka, who will now join on a permanent basis as part of the terms of his loan from Brentford.
Grimes is another the club are confident can make the step, along with Rudoni and forward Haji Wright. In defence, right back Milan van Ewijk and centre back Thomas look capable of playing at a higher level.
Rudoni has been managing a shoulder problem for much of the campaign – it has caused him so much pain he has struggled to sleep at times – and now promotion has been secured, Coventry may decide to send the 24-year-old for surgery to ensure the problem is fixed in time for the Premier League.
It would be a surprise if Coventry followed the example of Sunderland, who spent nearly £165million on new players last summer and have managed comfortably to beat the drop thanks to an outstanding start to the campaign. While the Sky Blues will show ambition, their approach will be sensible: there are unlikely to be £100,000-a-week salary offers, with £50,000 a week believed to be a more realistic negotiating point.
There will be changes, though. Greater athleticism will be sought in midfield, though Middlesbrough’s impressive playmaker Hayden Hackney could become a target, especially if Boro do not follow Coventry back to the Premier League. Keep an eye on the left-back spot, too.
In today’s football landscape, commercial revenue is vital for on-pitch improvement and Coventry are believed to be close to agreeing a new deal with shirt sponsors Monzo for next season.
Premier League shareholder meetings should certainly be livelier with owner Doug King involved in them. Those familiar with the football club owners of the late 20th century will enjoy King’s arrival in the top flight. He is a big personality who likes to be involved in every aspect of the club.
Onyeka (left) will join on a permanent deal from Brentford, while Milan van Ewijk (centre) and Rudoni (right) are expected to make the step up to the top flight
Middlesbrough’s talented midfielder Hayden Hackney could become a target this summer, particularly if Boro cannot follow Coventry into the Premier League
Doug King is the ultimate hands-on owner, and has an excellent relationship with key executives including Lampard
When he bought Coventry in January 2023, King was learning on the job. At that time, there was a perception that Coventry were susceptible to overpaying, both in fees and wages. Yet King is a shrewd businessman, who made his money in the food and agriculture industry, and he has learned quickly. During meetings, he absorbs information quickly and will give proper hearing to both sides of an argument.
At the start of his ownership, barely anything would happen at Coventry without King at the heart of it – but now he is a little more prepared to delegate to key executives, such as head of recruitment Dean Austin.
If Austin and Lampard identify a player and approach King, the owner is now more willing simply to set the budget and leave them to do the rest, rather than conducting negotiations at every stage.
This summer will be fascinating. King is not the type to gamble the future of the club on a single season. Coventry will do plenty of shopping in overseas markets but still they need Premier League experience. Usually those players command high salaries and have little resale value. Will King wish to take those risks?
Sky Blues fans should have faith. They have had their money’s worth under King’s stewardship, which has included two trips to Wembley, two play-off campaigns and now promotion. Whatever happens next, supporters will remember this journey for the rest of their days.
