- Frank Lampard is in advanced talks to take over at Championship side Coventry
- Lampard’s last managerial role came during the 2022-23 season with Chelsea
- Liverpool correspondent LEWIS STEELE tells all on bombshell chat with Mo Salah – LISTEN NOW to It’s All Kicking Off! New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Coventry are increasingly confident of appointing Frank Lampard as their new manager in time for Saturday’s clash with Cardiff.
The former Chelsea and England midfielder was targeted by owner Doug King following the sacking of Mark Robins three weeks ago, but the process has been exhaustive, with Lampard one of a number of candidates interviewed.
Though there remain some hurdles to be cleared before a deal is sealed, Lampard is edging towards a comeback in management, more than a year after his short-term spell at Chelsea ended.
Mail Sport understands the 46-year-old, who has managed Derby and Everton as well as his two stints at Stamford Bridge, would become one of the highest-paid managers outside the Premier League.
Though he was always high on King’s list, the Sky Blues owner was persuaded to look closely at other candidates before moving ahead with his preferred one.
The Lampard deal has also been held up by negotiation over his backroom staff, with Lampard keen to bring in his own team.
Frank Lampard is closing in on a return to management as the new boss of Coventry City
The club have been searching for a new head coach since Mark Robins was sacked this month
Sky Blues owner Doug King has long been an admirer of the former England international
Mail Sport previously reported how King was due to speak to a mixture of British and overseas coaches before making his final decision.
He will also take advice from performance director Dr Claire-Marie Roberts and head of recruitment Dean Austin.
Lampard’s own team could include Joe Edwards and Chris Jones, who were part of his coaching staff at Everton and during both spells at Chelsea.
If he is appointed, the Chelsea legend will return the division where he led Derby to within 90 minutes of promotion via the play-offs in 2018-19, with the Rams being beaten 2-1 by Aston Villa in the play-off final.
Lampard moved to Stamford Bridge in the aftermath of that defeat and across his two spells in charge of the Blues, he won 45 of his 95 games in charge.
The 46-year-old also spent just under a year at Everton before he was sacked, although he did help the Toffees to stave off relegation.
Meanwhile, Robins, who was dismissed on November 7, had been in charge of the Sky Blues for more than seven years, leading them from League Two to within a penalty kick of the Premier League, and his departure sparked fury among supporters.
The 54-year-old – who also had an impressive five-month stint with Coventry between September 2012 and February 2013 – led the Sky Blues in 387 games during his second spell.
Lampard previously managed Derby in the Championship, where he led them to the play-off final
Coventry currently sit 17th in the Championship, just two points clear of the relegation zone
Robins won 154 of these, with Coventry securing promotion from League Two via the play-offs in 2017-18, before they won League One in 2019-20.
He also lifted the EFL Trophy with the club in 2016-17 and led them to 16th, 12th, 5th and 9th placed finishes during his four seasons in the Championship.
Coventry currently sit 17th in the Championship, just two points clear of the relegation zone.
They are back in action on Saturday when they host Cardiff – which could be Lampard’s first game in charge – before they face difficult away games at Millwall and West Brom.
