How Lampard is Rebuilding His Reputation at Coventry While Wilshere and Ramsey Venture into Management

Although Frank Lampard’s reputation as a manager had taken a significant hit following a rather dismal stint as caretaker at Chelsea and a failed period at Everton, one cannot help but admire the guts he displayed in taking the role at Coventry City earlier this season.

The 46-year-old was in a difficult position given that, as of November 28, 2024, the Sky Blues had played 17 matches but found themselves in 17th place in the Championship, having secured only four victories.

With only two points separating them from the relegation zone, the primary aim was to bring stability to the team on the pitch, with expectations for 2024/25 set at a modest level.

Fast-forward to the present, and despite a recent loss to bottom-of-the-table Plymouth Argyle, Coventry now sits in sixth place and looks poised for a play-off opportunity.

Frank Lampard’s strongest performances have come in the Championship

Since taking charge, Lampard has secured 15 wins (alongside five draws and nine defeats), achieving a win percentage of 51.7 — his second-best as a manager, just behind the 52.7% from his inaugural season at Chelsea.

Utilising an attractive style of play has helped mask concerns about Lampard’s defensive weaknesses — with a goal difference of only +5 — and has reinstated him in discussions about promising English managers at the top tier of the game in this country.

However, it is essential to note that his most significant achievements have transpired in the Championship rather than the Premier League.

While Lampard was praised at Derby County for the entertaining style the Rams exhibited, boasting a tally of 90 goals during his 57 matches — the second-highest at the club in the last ten years — defensively his record was a different story, with 70 goals conceded marking the third-worst performance.

His record of 24 wins, 17 draws, and 16 losses, which equates to a 42.1% win ratio, was not disastrous, but a standout moment would be the thrilling Play-Off semi-final against Leeds, despite Derby ultimately losing in the final to Aston Villa.

Decline after his initial season at Chelsea

Of the 94 matches he managed at Chelsea, 45 ended in victories, yielding a commendable win ratio of 47.9%. However, a substantial portion of those wins occurred in the initial phase of his tenure from 2019-2021.

After that, it all went downhill.

Left without a job for a year post-Chelsea, Everton offered him a role after sacking Rafael Benitez due to a series of poor results.

Ensuring that the Toffees remained in the Premier League was a vital task, accomplished only in the dying moments of the 2021/22 season.

However, following only one win in 11 matches at the start of the subsequent campaign, Lampard was dismissed from his position at Goodison Park.

His record of 12 wins, 24 losses, and eight draws across 44 games saw a win percentage of just 27.3%, marking him as one of the least successful managers in recent times at the club.

As if that wasn’t enough to tarnish his chances of further high-profile employment, his brief return as caretaker at Stamford Bridge, culminating in just one win and eight defeats across 11 games, yielded a dismal 9.1% win percentage.

Nevertheless, here we are, with Lampard’s Coventry team potentially heading for a promotional Play-Off spot if they can triumph in their final two league matches this season and perform well in the high-pressure end-of-season encounters.

There’s still a considerable road ahead before that scenario unfolds, yet credit should go to Lampard for rebuilding parts of his tarnished reputation with a respectable season.

The emergence of international midfielders in management

Lampard is not the only former international midfielder trying to carve out a career in high-level management.

Steven Gerrard, after a successful tenure with Rangers, watched his managerial reputation diminish after his departure from Aston Villa, leaving the club in a precarious position.

His failure to elevate Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq to compete effectively with leading teams has cemented his undesired legacy.

Jack Wilshere is now at Norwich City, while Aaron Ramsey, in charge at Cardiff, have both recently taken interim roles with their clubs as they hope to boost performance levels.

Wilshere has stepped in on an interim basis following the departure of Johannes Thorup, while Ramsey has succeeded Omer Riza, although Ramsey has indicated a preference to continue his playing career next season rather than manage.

Currently, the Canaries occupy a mid-table position with nothing to gain, while the Bluebirds are under pressure to win both of their remaining Championship fixtures and rely on favourable outcomes elsewhere to avoid relegation.

Ramsey’s concluding match of the season is against Norwich, pitting him against a former Arsenal teammate in what promises to be an intriguing contest.

A win might compel the 34-year-old Welshman to reconsider his plans regarding playing versus coaching for the upcoming season.