Reports continue to link Frank Lampard with a move to Crystal Palace - but Coventry City wouldn't let him leave easily
Steve Wollaston Head of Sport - Midlands
12:22, 31 May 2026Updated 12:29, 31 May 2026
Frank Lampard has guided Coventry City back to the Premier League.
Frank Lampard has guided Coventry City back to the Premier League.(Image: Ryan Browne/Shutterstock)
Frank Lampard remains as the bookies' favourite to replace the outgoing Oliver Glasner as manager of Crystal Palace, but prising him from Sky Blues could prove too costly for them.
It is understood that with top target Andoni Iraola now being lined up to replace Arne Slot as Liverpool manager, Palace are quickly turning their attentions to convincing Lampard that his future lies in London.
The [bookmakers have Lampard installed as the current front-runner](http://bookmakers have Lampard installed as the current fron-runner) for the role, ahead of the likes of Dino Toppmöller, Pierre Sage, and Thomas Frank.
There is no suggestion that Lampard's head can or will be turned after his remarkable job in getting the Sky Blues promoted, but his stock has definitely risen, particularly after his LMA award for manager of the season.
So should fans be concerned? Only Lampard himself knows the answer to that, but the truth is that it may not be a situation that actually sees the light of day.
Transfer specialist, Alan Nixon, writes that Palace will find a reported £5m compensation fee for Lampard, too expensive to consider, which may be enough to quash the exit talk once and for all.
The article states that Lampard is reportedly interested in the role, even though The Eagles passed on his services four years ago, but the compensation would be a big barrier.
Coventry City chairman Doug King and head coach Frank Lampard celebrate the club's promotion to the Premier League
Coventry City chairman Doug King and head coach Frank Lampard celebrate the club's promotion to the Premier League(Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
City seem to be realistic about the prospect of clubs being interested in Lampard this summer, with Chairman Doug King recently giving his views on the situation.
He told the media: "You can see how emotionally connected (Lampard) is with the city, you can see what it meant to him to get promotion, and then the title, and I think he's found a happy place at the moment.
"It doesn't mean there's not going to be some staggering bid for him in the summer, and he'll have to make his choices, because he's shown his credentials as a high-quality head coach, but I'm not going to comment on that, I can't control it.
"I just think he's happy, I'm happy, everybody's happy, we've just got smiles on our faces and we don't worry about what may or may not happen for the head coach."
Lampard has just over 12 months left on his current deal, and as yet, there have been no signs of a new deal being announced, although supporters will be hopeful to see this happen over the summer before the new season.
Coventry City are back in the Premier League
The Coventry Telegraph has produced a stunning special edition marking the achievements of Frank Lampard and his men.
And to celebrate, the Coventry Telegraph has produced this stunning 48-page special edition marking the achievements of Frank Lampard and his men.
Since relegation in 2001, the Sky Blues have gone through many well-documented lows, but a quarter of a century later, free-scoring City have earned promotion in emphatic style.
And our bumper special edition is the perfect souvenir to remember that fantastic achievement by.
We'll have match reports, pics, and reaction from every kick of City's journey back to English football's promised land.
It's all here... the avalanche of goals pre-Christmas that made promotion look nailed on, the brief wobble that followed, and the revival under Lampard to consolidate their position at the top of the table.
Plus, Sky Blues writer Andy Turner will have pages and pages of in-depth analysis on the title-winning season, manager Lampard's success, key players, and what lies ahead for the club in the top flight.
Club historian Jim Brown will also share his fact-filled take on promotion, while there will be pictures and reports from the Sky Blues' joyful promotion celebrations.
Click here to buy
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Every day, the CoventryLive football desk strive to deliver all manner of news, features and transfer-related stories as a part of our overall package of CoventryCity content.
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