Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Ben Fisher

Lampard out to prove critics wrong at Coventry after Chelsea ‘babysitting’

Coventry's new manager Frank Lampard poses on the pitch
Frank Lampard has been out of work since leaving his role as Chelsea’s interim head coach last year. Photograph: Bradley Collyer/PA

Frank Lampard said he believes ­former high-profile players face harsher criticism as managers, after expressing his excitement at relaunching his career at Coventry having been reduced to “babysitting” Chelsea in his last coaching role. ­Lampard, who took training on Thursday, has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract to succeed Mark Robins at the Championship club.

The former Chelsea and England midfielder said he is au fait with the scrutiny that will accompany his return to work. The 46-year-old, whose first manager’s job was in the second tier with Derby, has been out of work since leaving his role as interim head coach at Chelsea at the end of 2022-23. “British managers should be given a chance and sometimes they face even more stringent opinion against them, especially ex-players,” he said.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.