EXCLUSIVE: Frank Lampard has just revealed he’s ‘quiet keen’ on leaving Coventry City for Championship rivals after Sunderland heartbreak, they ‘like him’ too
Coventry City’s 2024/25 campaign came to a dramatic end as they were beaten in the Championship play-off semi-final by Sunderland over two legs, and we can reveal that failure could see Frank Lampard walk away from the club.
Dan Ballard’s incredible last minute header saw the Black Cats progress to the final in extra time on Monday evening, running out 3-2 winners on aggregate after they picked up a 2-1 victory in the first leg at the CBS Arena.
It was a very disappointing evening for Frank Lampard, whose emotions took over after the final whistle, and he will still be gutted at the outcome after his team fought back and were largely the better side across the tie.
Nevertheless, Coventry will be raring to go next season and they will be in the hunt for another top six finish. However, they may be forced to do it without their manager in tow.
Southampton register Frank Lampard interest after Championship play-off defeat
Lampard’s success this season has been clear to see, with the Sky Blues sky-rocketing from a relegation scrap towards the play-off places in the space of just six months.
In an EFL Analysis exclusive, we can reveal that Southampton are continuing to show an interest in the former Chelsea boss, following the departure of Ivan Juric, and that interest is now being reciprocated.
Transfer expert Graeme Bailey told us: “Southampton are very interesting. It’s interesting because I think Frank Lampard’s stock is as high as it has been in a long time. We know he’s quite keen on that job. I think we need to keep an eye on Frank Lampard for that one from what I’m hearing.
“They like him. We revealed Lampard and Southampton a while back now, but he is still someone they have very much got their eyes on.
“I suppose a lot of people queried it when we first raised that prospect, but now, since taking Coventry to the play-offs. They were the better team over the two legs. So now his stock is as high as it’s been since his Derby County days probably. So this is one to keep an eye on.”
Coventry City’s success this season has been due to Lampard’s impact
When Mark Robins was sacked following defeat to Derby in November, the Sky Blues were 17th in the table and just above the relegation zone.
However, Lampard quickly turned things around for Coventry and they flew up the league table, with a run of 10 wins in 11 matches throughout January to March putting them into con
Despite a few difficulties in the final weeks of the season, the West Midlands outfit got over the line in fifth place showing just how big an impact that their manager had in a relatively short period of time.
He won 16 of his 29 league games in charge of Coventry in the Championship and they will be pushing for the top six once again next season. However, with the strength that Southampton will have on their return to the second tier, keeping hold of Lampard will be a tough job for Doug King.
