It is easy to forget now, looking back through the lens of promotion, that Frank Lampard was not universally popular when he first arrived at Coventry City. It was less to do with his mixed managerial record and more because Coventry fans, and many players, felt it was their destiny to reach the top flight under the guidance of Mark Robins. Supporters wrote in to BBC Sport to say they were “devastated” and “sickened” when he was sacked in November 2024.
Robins had almost single-handedly revived the club from their darkest days in League Two, earning two promotions and reaching the Championship play-off final in 2023, where Coventry lost to Luton at Wembley. He had come so close, giving blood, sweat and tears over seven years, and surely it was his right to take the final step.
