Coventry City: Doug King reacts to Frank Lampard appointment | OneFootball

Coventry City have officially confirmed the appointment of Frank Lampard

Coventry City owner Doug King has issued a glowing verdict on Frank Lampard, who has been unveiled as the club's new head coach following the sacking of Mark Robins.

The decision to part ways with Robins, which was taken nearly three weeks ago in the wake of a 2-1 home defeat to Derby County, was met with widespread division. Robins had enjoyed a memorable second spell in charge of the Sky Blues and held his position for seven-and-a-half years, guiding the side from the depths of League Two to within one penalty kick away from Premier League football in that time.

However, following an abject start to the 2024/25 campaign amid strong backing and expectation, Robins was relieved of his duties. King later revealed that a souring of the relationship between Robins and his former assistant, Adi Viveash, was a reason behind the decision.

It sparked an unprecedented managerial search which spanned close to three weeks before the eventual appointment of Lampard, which has been confirmed today after the former Derby County, Chelsea and Everton boss emerged in the early reckoning to take over. During the search for a new head coach, Rhys Carr stepped up on an interim basis and claimed successive 2-2 draws against two promotion hopefuls in Sunderland and Sheffield United before losing at Burnley on Tuesday evening.

The defeat to Scott Parker's side means that Lampard will take over the team in 17th position, with significant ground to make up between now and the end of the season if they are to challenge for promotion.

Doug King's reaction to Coventry City's Frank Lampard appointment

King officially welcomed the 46-year-old to the CBS Arena this morning and believes his experience in management after taking his first steps into management with Derby in 2018 means he's the perfect candidate to help Coventry achieve their long-term goals.

Lampard's appointment marks a return to the managerial world for the first time in more than a year, having briefly returned to Chelsea on a short-term basis in the back-end of the 2022/23 campaign. He had been out of work since then, although there will be expectation of Lampard back in the Championship given that he took Derby all the way to the play-off final in his first ever season in the dugout.

King said, via Coventry's official website: "I am delighted that Frank Lampard has agreed to join our club as Head Coach. Frank cut his teeth in the Championship and knows what is needed in this League to be successful.

"His experiences thereafter at Chelsea and Everton will ensure he brings to our talented squad clear understanding of exactly what is needed to succeed at the very top level that we as a Club are striving to reach."

Frank Lampard's opening games as Coventry City head coach

The ex-Chelsea and England midfield star has arguably joined at the perfect time, considering the tough run of fixtures Coventry undertook prior to his appointment.

He'll make his bow this Saturday at home to Cardiff City, who are currently outside the Championship's bottom three by just one point and have lost three of their last four outings.

You would imagine that this weekend's encounter represents a strong opportunity for Lampard to instantly make a strong start to life at the CBS Arena, although more daunting contests await afterwards in the form of Millwall and then West Bromwich Albion days later.

Both of those clashes will be played out on the road, and Lampard will return to the CBS Arena for another home fixture against a present relegation candidate in Hull City, where we could well see a renaissance of sorts with Robins. That's because he's currently linked with the vacant managerial hotseat at the MKM Stadium following the dismissal of Tim Walter, who was dismissed yesterday by controversial Tigers owner Acun Ilicali.