Frank Lampard had the option of pursuing a career in front of the TV cameras after his playing days, but he is keen to succeed as a manager and he proved that decision right at Coventry.
TV companies had their eyes on Frank Lampard even before he finished playing. Sky Sports in particular had executives with a master plan.
Sky, the premier league’s main broadcaster, has always had some of the best and brightest pundits in the industry since day one. But they don’t have Gary Lineker, a top-notch football player who can actually run the program and not just show up.
Mr Lineker was the face of BBC Sport. There would have been many challenges and hurdles to overcome, but some within the channel were looking to Lampard to be the face of Sky Sports.
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And whenever Lampard has appeared as a pundit, he has, as you might imagine, made a very good impression. But for Lampard, television has always been a way for him to tickle his football muscles in between work.
If Coventry City’s impressive start to the Championship this season does not convince us that Lampard is a very capable manager, it should at least serve as a reminder of his perseverance. For him, there’s always an easier job waiting in front of the TV cameras.
And after an absolutely underwhelming season at Everton, winning just 12 of 44 games, and a disastrous return to Chelsea where they won just one of 11 (eight defeats), some wondered whether Lampard would turn to television with more serious intentions. However, playing Wayne Rooney entirely seems not to have been in his plans, with Rooney now appearing to embrace a career in the media in earnest after mostly notable managerial endeavors at Derby County, DC United, Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with Rooney’s path. And he has proven himself to be an accomplished critic. Additionally, a failed resume as a manager does not prevent someone from passing judgment on the current manager’s job. After all, many people do it without ever being able to manage it.
However, there is no doubt that it is a bit ironic that a current manager is being criticized by Rooney. And perhaps that is one reason why Lampard has always been so determined to prove himself.
Remember, he was doing reasonably well at Derby before taking up his first managerial role at Chelsea too early. His spells as a substitute at Everton and Stamford Bridge were disappointing, but he has done an excellent job at Coventry.
When he took over in late November last year, the Sky Blues were 17th in the Championship. Lampard took his team to the play-offs, but they narrowly lost to Sunderland (conceding a goal in the 122nd minute of the second leg).
This painful start to the loss is outstanding, especially considering Coventry only spent £3.5m in the summer. And even the most basic statistics show that Lampard has built a squad and gameplan to make Coventry the most exciting team in the Championship.
The unbeaten side have scored 34 goals after 12 games, 14 more than any other side in the division and four more than Middlesbrough and Millwall, who sit second and third, combined. Unsurprisingly, Coventry top the statistical table in terms of shots, shots on target and chances created.
On Friday night they face a Wrexham team who have won just three games in the Championship. As you can imagine, Lampard is not on top of his game.
But in a season where teams relegated from the top flight appear to be struggling, a path to the Premier League looks attractive. There’s a long way to go, but Lampard is at least proving that his time in TV studios is not imminent.
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