Frank Lampard in advanced talks over first management job in 18 months with announcement expected imminently

FRANK LAMPARD is in advanced talks to take over at Coventry City, according to reports.

The Chelsea legend has been without a management job for nearly 18 months since leaving his spell as interim manager of the Blues in 2023.

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Frank Lampard is in advanced talks to be named as Coventry manager[/caption]

But he is now in line to return to the dugout with the Championship outfit, according to The Telegraph.

Coventry made the surprise decision to sack manager Mark Robins earlier this month.

Lampard, 46, is said to be keen to resume his coaching career with the right opportunity.

He previously guided Derby to the Championship play-offs finals in 2019, but lost out on promotion to Aston Villa.

The Sky Blues owner Doug King is said to have a link to the Redknapp family.

Former Tottenham, Portsmouth and West Ham boss Harry Redknapp is Lampard’s uncle.

Coventry sit 17th in the second tier and just two points clear of the relegation zone after just four wins from their opening 17 games.

King became the majority owner of the club in January 2023 before taking 100 per cent control later in the year.

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After taking the unpopular decision to sack Robins, who had guided the team to the play-offs in 2023 and the FA Cup semi-finals in 2024, King said he could not run the risk of being relegated.

He said: “I cannot have the risk of us getting relegated. Nobody thought Birmingham would get relegated – and they did. The next appointment is very important.

“You can argue that this was a big mistake [to sack Robins]. But I had to do something. And everybody will make their judgement clear.”

They suffered a 2-0 defeat to Burnley on Tuesday to leave them four games without a win.

Coventry host Cardiff at the Coventry Building Society Arena on Saturday in what could be Lampard’s first game in charge.