Claimingthe Championship playoff spot magnifies just the beginning for Coventry, according to Lampard.
Coventry City's heart-stopping Championship playoff spot isn't just a stepping stone for this West Midlands team, but a gateway to the Premier League, asserts their manager Frank Lampard.
Straight outta 17th place when Lampard took the reins in November, Coventry has miraculously climbed their way to fifth in the Championship table. Next up, they go head-to-head with Sunderland in the exhilarating playoff semi-final after annihilating Middlesbrough 2-0 at home last weekend.
"My team and I gotta give a shout-out to our staff, they've been working their asses off since joining," Lampard exclaimed to talkSPORT, post-match celebration. "Every day they toil, they support and handle things I ain't great at. It's a big fucking achievement, climbing from 17th to 5th and securing a playoff spot."
Lampard won't let his team get carried away, though. "Nah, we ain't popping bottles yet, we're saying thanks to the fans because they've stuck with us all season. Now, it's time to up our game and knock Sunderland the fuck out."
After five consecutive losses, the Black Cats stand on shaky ground, offering Coventry a chance to seize control, especially during the first leg at the Ricoh Arena.
Lampard also gave a nod of appreciation to Mark Robins, his predecessor who was sacked in November. Robins, who returned to Coventry in 2017, led them from League Two to the Championship, made it to the playoff final in 2023 (lost to Luton Town on penalties), and even reached the FA Cup semifinals (lost to Manchester United in a shootout after trailing 3-0).
"Shout-out to Mike Robins. What he did here was build this fucking club up from League Two and take them all the way. He made them play finals and reach the FA Cup semis. I got mad respect for that," Lampard said, with a tinge of awe in his voice.
The first leg is set for Coventry on the 9th of May, and the second leg will follow on the 18th of May at Sunderland. With the final scheduled for the 24th of May, Coventry will rely on their defensive resilience and Lampard's playoff experience to power through the two-legged battle, even as the absence of VAR adds an unpredictable element they'll need to navigate.
Celebrating their remarkable climb from 17th place, Frank Lampard expressed gratitude to his hardworking staff on TalkSport post-match. He also acknowledged the crucial role Mark Robins played, sealing Coventry City's progression from League Two to the Championship. Now, as they prepare to face Sunderland in the playoff semi-final, Lampard emphasizes the need for further improvement and resilience to secure a spot in the Premier League.
