Frank Lampard has answered his critics by guiding Coventry City back to the Premier League for the first time in 25 years, overseeing a promotion-winning campaign that has revived his reputation as a manager.

Coventry, who finished top of the Championship, sealed promotion on Friday with a 1-1 draw against Blackburn, sparking celebrations among Lampard, his players and around 7,500 travelling supporters at Ewood Park.

The moment marked a powerful turnaround for both the club and its manager after difficult periods in recent years.

Lampard was visibly emotional at full-time, wiping away tears as he reflected on the achievement and the journey behind it.

“Everything I’ve done in my career has always been about proving something,” he said. “It’s been that way since I was a young player — you’re always fighting to show your worth.”

For Coventry, the promotion ends a long absence from the top flight following their relegation in 2001, which led to years of decline. The club dropped as far as the fourth tier in 2017 and even faced a spell without a permanent home during a prolonged stadium dispute.

Now, they return to English football’s top table under Lampard, completing a remarkable revival that few would have predicted.

Lampard’s appointment in November 2024 was seen as a risk by Coventry, given the mixed nature of his managerial record up to that point.

The decision was not initially welcomed by many supporters, but Sky Blues owner Doug King believed Lampard had the experience and personality to lead a club in need of a new direction following the dismissal of long-serving manager Mark Robins.

“Frank has worked in the Championship before and understands what it takes to succeed at this level,” King said at the time.

That faith has since been rewarded, with Coventry’s promotion expected to generate around £200 million in additional revenue.

However, the journey back to the Premier League has been far from smooth for the club, and Lampard himself has endured a challenging path in his managerial career before reaching this point.

Frank Lampard enjoyed a glittering playing career at Chelsea, winning 11 major trophies and becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer with 211 goals.

However, his journey in management had been far less straightforward prior to this success with Coventry.

Lampard’s first season in charge came with Derby County in 2019, where he guided them to the Championship play-off final, only to fall short of promotion.

Learning from past setbacks

He returned to Chelsea later that year, earning praise for promoting young talents such as Reece James, Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount during a period when the club was operating under a transfer ban.

Chelsea finished fourth in his first season at Stamford Bridge, but Lampard was dismissed in 2021 after failing to deliver silverware.

A subsequent spell at Everton saw him steer the club clear of relegation in 2022, though he was sacked less than a year later. His return to Chelsea as interim manager in 2023 proved difficult, with eight defeats in 11 matches.

When Lampard arrived at Coventry, his reputation remained uncertain, especially with the club sitting just two points above the relegation zone at the time.

However, he drew on lessons learned from his previous roles and the influence of his managerial mentors as he looked to rebuild both his career and Coventry’s fortunes.

Reflecting on the influences that shaped his managerial style, Lampard pointed to his time working under José Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti.

“Working under José Mourinho was an incredible experience. He was very hands-on and emotional, strong tactically and in managing the group. Carlo Ancelotti was very calm and relaxed,” he told Sky Sports.

“I’m probably somewhere in the middle. I also remember things I did not enjoy and try to learn from them. I aim to stay authentic.”

Now more measured and willing to delegate than in his early managerial days, Lampard oversaw a swift improvement at Coventry, guiding them to the play-off semi-finals last season.

This campaign, determined to go one step further, Coventry established themselves as the standout side in the Championship, ultimately securing promotion.

The achievement marks a significant moment in Lampard’s career, justifying his decision to take a risk by joining the club.

“We came into a bit of an unknown when we arrived 15 months ago,” he said. “We’ve fallen in love, and this ranks right up there with what I’ve achieved. I’m very proud to be the manager.”