Coventry City are back in the Premier League for the first time since the 2000-01 season, after Frank Lampard guided them to the Championship title. Club legend Gary McAllister, who scored against his former side in their last top-flight campaign, has spoken about their return and the challenges ahead.
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Star Sport, on behalf of Lottoland football betting, McAllister recalled his impact on Coventry's relegation: “I didn’t celebrate that goal massively. I knew it wasn’t the direct result, but it didn’t help.”
McAllister praises Lampard's appointment
McAllister lauded the risky decision to sack Mark Robins and replace him with Frank Lampard. “For the fans and the owner, Doug King took a big risk in sacking Mark Robins and bringing Frank in, but it worked,” he said.
“Mark got very close on two or three occasions, but Frank has managed to get them over the line and back to where I think they belong.”
Transfer business and survival key
McAllister stressed that recruitment will be vital. “I think Coventry are a Premier League club, and they just need to try to survive this season. I think recruitment is going to be key. They’ve been linked with the goalie (Carl Rushworth) they had there last season. I think he did really well.”
He noted the high costs: “I’ve seen numbers of £30 million getting thrown around. Some of the numbers today are just crazy, but that’s the price you’ve got to pay.”
Coventry have already signed Swiss defender Aurele Amenda from Eintracht Frankfurt for £17m, midfielder Frank Onyeka from Brentford, and Lou Tchaouna from Burnley. McAllister added: “The level jumps up massively when you go from the Championship to the Premier League.”
Chelsea connections could prove vital
McAllister also highlighted Lampard's links to Chelsea as a potential advantage. “I was chatting the other day about how his links with Chelsea might do him a favour, because I’ve seen a couple of former Chelsea players linked with Coventry. You know, I’ve seen Tomori and Loftus-Cheek mentioned in some of the press the other day.”
“Getting people of that ilk through the door, who have experience at the elite level, at the top level, and are proven, would help the players he’s got in the present squad, the squad that came up from the Championship.”
