Frank Lampard has become the first manager to guide Coventry City to the top flight since Jimmy Hill achieved the feat in 1967.
Following Coventry City’s triumphant return to the Premier League after a 25-year absence, manager Frank Lampard hailed the achievement as “unique.”
The Sky Blues clinched a top-two finish in the Championship, securing automatic promotion with three matches remaining, after a 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers.
“To secure automatic promotion as a non-parachute [payment] team with three games to spare… these players have accomplished something truly special and unique,” Lampard remarked to Sky Sports.
“This is what it’s all about. Earning a point here at this stage is no easy task.”
He added: “Achieving this after 25 years… it’s incredible.”
“The resilience to bounce back after the play-off defeat (last season to Sunderland) is commendable. During the summer, we discussed our goals for this season, aiming for a third or fourth-place finish to secure a home play-off game in the second leg, something we missed out on last year.”
“It’s a fantastic feeling to see the players achieve this milestone.”
Lampard, the former Chelsea and England midfielder, aged 47, assumed his role at the CBS Arena in November 2024, marking his first managerial position outside the top flight since his tenure at Derby in 2018-19.
An emotional Lampard, acknowledging the “incredible” work of his predecessor Mark Robins, expressed his deep connection with the club during his time in the Midlands, ranking Coventry’s promotion alongside his achievements as a player.
“I’m proud of myself and the staff,” he stated.
“We embarked on this journey approximately 15 months ago, arriving in a people carrier with a degree of uncertainty.”
“We’ve grown to love this club, and this achievement ranks among the best in my career.”
“I’m incredibly proud to be the manager.”
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Lampard following promotion
Lampard stated that while he would allow the players to celebrate their promotion, their focus would quickly shift to securing the title.
Coventry currently leads second-placed Ipswich by 11 points with three games remaining, although the Blues have two games in hand.
“The players can enjoy a couple of beers on the way home, but they need to finish the job,” he asserted.
“We aim to complete the task now. If we maintain our performance levels from the rest of the season, we will be fine. Our focus is on sustaining this momentum.”
Lampard revealed that he permitted the players to have “a bit of a party” following last Saturday’s 0-0 draw against relegated Sheffield Wednesday, which effectively ensured their promotion.
However, he noted that the training levels on Tuesday and Wednesday this week had caused him “the hump”.
Businessman Doug King assumed sole ownership of the club in January 2023.
He acknowledged that his decision to part ways with Robins, who had led the Sky Blues to two promotions, a Championship play-off final, and an FA Cup semi-final, was unpopular but necessary, stating, “We felt we needed a change of direction.”
Lampard has vindicated that decision and could now secure Coventry’s first title since winning the old second division in 1967.
King, describing the feeling of being a Premier League team as “surreal,” emphasized the club’s unifying effect on the city.
“The fans have been deprived of this for a long time, and you can sense it,” he told Sky Sports.
“Twenty-five years is a significant period.”
“If you fail to bounce back, it feels like it will never happen.”
“Getting out of this league is incredibly challenging, and we accomplished it.”
“We united the entire city, and I’m incredibly proud of everyone.”
“They’ve been leading the whole season, and it’s not easy being a front-runner.”
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Chairman Doug King on promotion
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