PAW PATROL
Inside Frank Lampard’s superstitious routine as new Coventry boss’ success could depend on Chelsea legend’s DOG
Scroll down to see an overview of Lampard's managerial career so far
FRANK LAMPARD will probably split his time between London and digs in Coventry as the Championship club’s new manager.
For most people, this is a minor issue, but for superstitious Lampard, it could have quite some bearing upon him in his new role.
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As Chelsea boss way back in 2019, the club’s all-time greatest goalscorer and hugely decorated midfielder revealed just a few of the extraordinary habits he believes are vital to keep the positive results flowing.
One of those is taking the exact same route while walking his dog around the same park.
He explained that he would visit the same coffee shop first thing, then wait patiently for his beloved pooch to do her ‘business’.
Then it would have to be following in his well-trodden footsteps for the same distance. In his mind it is pivotal to his team’s fortunes.
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There is also the precise 50 minutes on an exercise bike - no more and no less - that forms part of his routine to protect a winning run.
His great mate, co-coach and confident Jody Morris later Tweeted that these were just two minor examples of his friend’s OCD.
Lampard is 46 and about to join his fourth different club as a manager.
From cutting his teeth at Championship Derby, he seemed destined to manage his beloved Chelsea, although the experience turned sour quickly, as it tends to do at Stamford Bridge.
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Losing a play-off final, saving Everton from relegation, laying the groundwork for Chelsea’s second Champions League triumph in 2021 form part of his CV.
There’s a great coach inside Lampard waiting to get out.
Frank Lampard confirmed as Coventry manager as Chelsea legend returns to management after 18 months unemployed
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Frank Lampard's managerial record
Here's a look at Lampard's record as a manager...
Derby County May 2018 - July 2019
P57 W24 D17 L16 Win percentage 42.1%
Chelsea July 2019 - January 2021
P84 W44 D17 L23 Win percentage 52.4%
Everton January 2022 - January 2023
P44 W12 D17 L24 Win percentage 27.3%
Chelsea (caretaker) April 2023 - May 2023
P11 W1 D2 L8 Win percentage 9.1%
Overall: P288 W132 D72 L16 Win Percentage 45.83%
All of his three previous clubs had their respective issues that went beyond the dugout.
Whether it was Derby’s cash crisis, Everton’s ownership nightmare and Chelsea’s ruthless demand for glory that pushed sentiment to one side, some things are out of a manager’s control.
The fear is that it might be the same for him at City. The brutal sacking of legendary boss Mark Robins gives Lampard big shoes to fill.
On a bigger scale, Unai Emery and David Moyes found that out to their cost at Arsenal and Manchester United.
Last season, Coventry were denied an FA Cup final by the cruelty of VAR and a ruthless offside decision.
The comedown from that and the failure to reach the Championship Play-Offs has clearly played a part in Robins’ departure.
Lampard was a Chelsea legend when he was given the manager’s job too soon in his career.
Even then he admitted his popularity with the fans would last ‘two minutes’ if he didn’t deliver from the dugout.
He finished fourth in the Premier League and took them to an FA Cup final against Arsenal in his first season.
He was adored by the fans for promoting the academy players he had watched develop while studying for his coaching badges at his old club.
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When Chelsea were in crisis the season before last, he answered a call and went back as interim boss for 11 games - walking away lamenting the malaise that had set in in the dressing room.
Coventry City is a big club in the doldrums. Lampard’s reputation as a player and his impressive worth ethic could quickly get them firing again but in reality it all depends on his dog.
Lampard's appointment is a kick in the teeth to Coventry faithful - fan's view
By Alex Johnson
It was always going to be tough to fill the boots of a club legend like Mark Robins, a manager who provided many Sky Blues' with their best-ever memories supporting the club, but the arrival of Frank Lampard has gone down like a lead balloon among the Cov faithful.
In his Q&A appearance with fans after firing Robins, owner Doug King emphasised his intention to bring in a tactically minded head coach to get the best out of what is the most expensively assembled squad in Coventry City history.
To end up with Lampard, whose former assistant Jody Morris received a lot of the credit for his success at Derby County, feels like a kick in the teeth. This isn't someone who has won league titles or been praised for his brilliant style of football in the slightest.
Coventry fans will get behind Lampard and give him a chance. But to suggest he is an upgrade on Mark Robins after one playoff finish and a 9.1% win percentage in his last job is laughable
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