Frank Lampard Coventry manager truth as Chelsea legend's new job path clear

Frank Lampard has put in his application to become the new Coventry City manager.

The Chelsea legend is one of a reported 60+ applicants for the role. It opened up following the sacking of Mark Robins last Thursday following a 2-1 home defeat to Midlands rivals Derby County. He had been in charge for seven years.

The bookies have Lampard as the favourite to take over from Robins. The ex-midfielder already has a years worth of Championship experience when he led Derby to a playoff final in 2019, only to lose to Aston Villa.

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Club owner Doug king told Sky Sports: "We've received a huge amount of CV's from high-quality people, of which Frank is one.

"We've done nothing on that process... but clearly we're in the international break, we'll be assessing everything. We'll work out who's going to make the shortlist and we'll go from there."

If this move were to happen, it would be against the natural progression curve for a manager. Lampard progressed through the ranks from Derby boss to manager of his beloved Chelsea. Following his sacking from the Blues', he went to Merseyside with Everton to help survive relegation.

Now, he would back back in the ruthless second-tier of English football with a Coventry side who are sat just one point above relegation after 15 games. However, his efforts at Goodison Park proved he can fight at the bottom of the table.

It has been over a year since Lampard last held a managerial job when he was interim manager for Chelsea last summer. Taking the Coventry job will mean the ex-England international will have little to no time to work on his team. He will be thrown straight into a tough Championship league.

"The next appointment is very important," King said, as reported by BBC Coventry and Warwickshire. "I cannot have the risk of us getting relegated. Nobody thought Birmingham would get relegated and they did.

"You can argue that this was a big mistake. But I had to do something. Sometimes a tough decision has to be made. I like Mark Robins. And we've had good times together - but it had to be made."