Pep Guardiola hit nail on the head with comments on Lampard's ability to manage

Frank Lampard's run as manager of Coventry City has defied expectations - but perhaps not those of Pep Guardiola.

Lampard, 46, took on the mission of revitalising the Sky Blues, who were just two spots away from the drop zone when he took over from the sacked Mark Robins. Many pundits questioned his appointment after his difficult second spell as Chelsea boss, which saw him only record one victory in 11 matches.

Yet, the Sky Blues have been enjoying a fine campaign in the Championship since he took over. After a recent run of seven victories in eight matches, they are now only one point off the play-off places.

Many more were tipping City for relegation to League One rather than promotion to the Premier League. But if any person in football had faith that Lampard would go on to achieve great things as a manager, it would have been the legendary Manchester City boss himself.

Guardiola, when Lampard was still in the Chelsea dugout, said: "Frank Lampard was an extraordinary football player, and he will be an extraordinary manager. He did a really good season and I am delighted to watch his team.

"They are the elite of European football. When you start as a manager, you have a passion and no fears. You take decisions without compromise, which he has done by giving opportunities to the young, talented players Chelsea have because his Academy in the last five or 10 years has done really well."

Since taking over from Robins, Lampard has recorded 10 wins in just 17 matches. Their only defeats in 2025 have come away to promotion chasing Norwich City and at home to Championship leaders Leeds United.

Another person who backed Lampard for a bright career in the dugout was Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp, despite clashing with him on the Anfield touchline in 2020. Reflecting on Lampard's tenure at Stamford Bridge, Klopp said: "I have to say, I really thought Frank did a really good job at Chelsea, I really liked how they played.

"Chelsea, at the time, they were a club with massive expectations, so you can be first, second, third, not win the Champions League or whatever, with the old ownership, you were out of a job. Thomas (Tuchel) obviously came there, it was a good decision for Chelsea, but I really like what he did with Chelsea."

The Sky Blues continued their good recent run against Preston last weekend thanks to goals from Jack Rudoni and Bobby Thomas, securing a 2-1 win. It moved them within one point of sixth placed Blackburn Rovers and fifth placed West Bromwich Albion, who are both on 51 points.

While they had to deal with a resurgent Preston in the second half, Lampard described the victory as one of his most pleasing. When told it was the first time Coventry had beaten Preston in 22 matches, the former England international said: "It’s great for the fans. I was aware of it because it was spoken about as soon as I came in, so I know what it is.

"We’re on a good run at the moment so you can feel a good feeling in the stadium anyway, and to do something like that is good for those who have been supporters of the club for a long time. So I am happy for them and happy for the three points.”

Next on Coventry's agenda is a trip to the Kassam Stadium to face Oxford United, followed by a home fixture against Stoke City one week later.