Frank Lampard insists he’s “enjoying the moment” at Coventry City rather than reflecting about his former club Chelsea.
Although there have been no specific reports linking the 47-year-old with a third return to Stamford Bridge following Liam Rosenior’s dismissal this week, speculation has already begun that he may be targeted by the Premier League club following his success in promoting the Sky Blues this season.
When asked by Sky Sports at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s game against Wrexham – after which he and his players will be presented with the Championship title trophy – if the Chelsea job is one he’d ever consider taking again, Lampard said: “Well, I definitely don’t want to talk about Liam and Chelsea because I’ve been there, and I never want to talk about managers because of context behind the scenes, etc.
“I believe it is disrespectful to pass judgement on it. That is for pundits to judge. I’m the manager of Coventry City, and I’m relishing our promotion and title victory.
When asked what he thought of the Blues’ season and the five-game losing streak in the league without scoring a single goal that finally cost Rosenior his job, he said: “It’s a difficult patch, for sure, and we as managers know what the implications may be. And I believe we must all be mature enough to understand that.
“But, as a football club, they are in a tough situation. They have a good chance of getting something out of the season with the FA Cup and a higher league place, but that is Chelsea’s business.
“Chelsea’s a big part of my life but at the moment it’s their business and my business is here.”
When asked if he could understand why some Coventry fans could be concerned about losing him, given his links to Chelsea, the City manager answered, “I’m not sure. I’d like to assume that Coventry fans are simply appreciating what we’ve accomplished this season. I believe that many aspects of management are beyond your control.
“All you can do is control your work, and I have to come and speak with you about rumors, but for the time being, I believe we should simply appreciate where we are in a fantastic season. I’m very proud and happy to be a part of it.
“I enjoy what I do, therefore I have no control over who worries or not. I would recommend to just enjoy it because it is a fantastic year.”
Finally, with only a year remaining on his contract at the CBS Arena, Lampard was asked by BBC CWR if there had been any talks with owner Doug King about a new deal at the club, to which he replied: “There have been no discussions, so I’m just getting on with my job and enjoying these last couple of weeks.”
Since their relegation in 2001, the Sky Blues have experienced many well-documented lows, but a quarter of a century later, free-scoring City have earned promotion in dramatic fashion.
And our bumper special edition is the ideal way to commemorate that wonderful achievement.
We’ll have match reports, photos, and reactions from every step of City’s return to English football’s promised land.
It’s all here: the avalanche of goals before Christmas that made promotion appear inevitable, the little lull that followed, and the comeback under Lampard to cement their position at the top of the table.
Furthermore, Sky Blues writer Andy Turner will provide pages and pages of in-depth analysis on the title-winning season, manager Lampard’s performance, important players, and the club’s future in the top flight.
Jim Brown, the club historian, will also provide his fact-filled perspective on promotion, as well as photos and reports from the Sky Blues’ euphoric promotion celebrations.
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