Coventry are growing increasingly optimistic in naming Frank Lampard as their new manager in time for Saturday’s match against Cardiff.
The former Chelsea and England midfielder was targeted by owner Doug King following Mark Robins’ dismissal three weeks ago, but the process has been lengthy, with Lampard one of several candidates questioned.
Though several barriers must be passed before a deal is finalized, Lampard is on the verge of returning to management more than a year after his brief stint at Chelsea.
According to Mail Sport, the 46-year-old, who has previously managed Derby and Everton in addition to two stints at Stamford Bridge, would become one of the highest-paid managers outside of the Premier League.
Though he was always high on King’s list, the Sky Blues owner was persuaded to consider other possibilities before selecting his chosen one.
The Lampard contract has also been hampered by negotiations over his backroom staff, with Lampard eager to bring in his own crew.
He will also seek guidance from Dr Claire-Marie Roberts, the performance director, and Dean Austin, the head of recruitment.
Lampard’s personal team might comprise Joe Edwards and Chris Jones, who were on his coaching staff at Everton and Chelsea.
If appointed, the Chelsea icon will return to the league where he led Derby County to within 90 minutes of promotion via the play-offs in 2018-19, losing 2-1 to Aston Villa in the final.Lampard moved to Stamford Bridge following that setback, and he won 45 of the Blues’ 95 games throughout his two tenure in command.
The 46-year-old also spent less than a year at Everton before being fired, but he did assist the Toffees avoid relegation.
Meanwhile, Robins, who was fired on November 7, had been in charge of the Sky Blues for more than seven years, taking them from League Two to within a penalty kick of the Premier League, and his departure enraged fans.
The 54-year-old, who previously spent five months with Coventry from September 2012 to February 2013, led the Sky Blues in 387 games during his second term.
Robins won 154 of these, with Coventry gaining promotion from League Two in the play-offs in 2017-18 before winning League One in 2019-20.
He also won the EFL Trophy with the club in 2016-17, and he led them to 16th, 12th, 5th, and 9th place positions in the Championship across his four seasons.
Coventry are presently 17th in the Championship, two points clear of the relegation zone.
They return to action on Saturday, hosting Cardiff in what may be Lampard’s first game in charge, before facing difficult away games against Millwall and West Brom.
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