Chelsea legend Frank Lampard is currently managing Coventry City and doing an excellent job there.
Lampard has taken Coventry to the top of the Championship table where they have a six-point cushion.
However, before joining the Sky Blues, the 47-year-old had two spells as Chelsea manager. When Lampard took over the Blues for a second time, they were in a dire state, so there was not much he could do in his caretaker role.
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He did make an impact during his first stint in the Stamford Bridge dugout, though.
Coventry City manager Frank Lampard applauds the fans
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Frank Lampard acknowledges he only got Chelsea job because of transfer ban
Lampard was eventually sacked by Chelsea, but the club will feel that their decision to hire him had been justified.
It was only his second managerial job, so the retired midfielder did have his critics and doubters. Lampard has admitted himself that he only got the role because of Chelsea’s transfer ban.
Speaking to FourFourTwo, the ex-England international said: “People had opinions, of course, but the opportunity was there, they had the transfer ban and everything.
“I wouldn’t have got the job without that, I knew that, but I went there, worked with the younger players, and we made it into the Champions League and got to an FA Cup final as well.”
Who is Chelsea’s best manager of the past decade? 👀
🚨🚨| Chelsea have had 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍 different managers in just 8 years:
▪️Antonio Conte – 2016
▪️Maurizio Sarri – 2018
▪️Frank Lampard – 2019
▪️Thomas Tuchel – 2021
▪️Graham Potter – 2022
▪️Frank Lampard – 2023 (interim)
▪️Mauricio Pochettino – 2023 pic.twitter.com/enXca4buaa
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After his dismissal, Lampard went on to join Everton and kept them up in the 2022 season. Unfortunately, he was also dismissed from his position at Goodison Park the following campaign.
Lampard is now rebuilding his credibility with the job that he is doing at the Coventry Building Society Arena. Like the Chelsea icon, Liam Rosenior, who is close to becoming Chelsea manager, is also going to have his doubters.
Coventry City Manager, Frank Lampard, gives his press conference
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Frank Lampard’s first season at Chelsea a success
Lampard has received criticism for his initial spell as Chelsea boss, particularly from those who felt that nepotism played a huge role in him getting the job.
Yet when you look at what he achieved in the 2019/20 season, you can argue that he did quite well.
Under a transfer ban, Chelsea were able to qualify for the Champions League and reach the FA Cup final. It was also Lampard who gave the likes of Reece James and Mason Mount their big breaks.
Look at where James is now. Chelsea have Lampard to thank for his introduction to their senior team.
Things did not end well, but Lampard’s first season as Chelsea manager has to be deemed as a success.
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