Gary Neville has sparked debate over Frank Lampard's managerial career, suggesting that his appointment at Coventry City might have been his final chance in football. Speaking on the 'Stick to Football' podcast, the former Manchester United defender said: 'Frank Lampard [and] Coventry. Who thought when he went to Coventry that that could be his last job in football?'
Roy Keane challenged Neville's remark, asking why he thought that. Neville explained: 'I just thought, basically, he's had the big job and he goes back to Coventry, if it goes wrong there. It's a big risk.' Jamie Carragher drew parallels with Steven Gerrard, noting that both had their opportunities in the Premier League and were unlikely to go lower than a top Championship club in pursuit of a return to the top flight.
Ian Wright admitted he had not anticipated Coventry becoming promotion contenders under Lampard, saying: 'Coventry's not one of them clubs where you're thinking they are amongst it and if they get the right manager they'll come up.' Keane added that Coventry are now 'a proper run club' with strong behind-the-scenes operations.
Wright believes Lampard's previous experiences at Derby County, Chelsea and Everton have prepared him for his current role. He said: 'Everything he's learned, the Chelsea job... with all the negativity, how to deal with people, the things that he's learned, it's probably perfect now, Coventry. Frank's very focused, he's gone back again.'
Lampard has guided Coventry to the top of the Championship with a 10-point lead over second-placed Middlesbrough and a 12-point cushion in the automatic promotion places. His remarkable campaign has put the Sky Blues in a strong position to return to the Premier League.
