​

Image source: Getty ImagesByNick MashiterFootball reporter1 Hour ago180 CommentsByNizaar KinsellaFootball reporterFrank Lampard, Coventry City and the Premier League are back. Coventry’s focus is now on winning the Championship title after Friday’s 1-1 draw with Blackburn. Lampard’s reputation suffered after a 12-month battle with Everton, and a short caretaker stint at Chelsea, where the club was under a transfer ban. He also won just one game in 11 matches. Lampard’s critics have been quieted by his success at Chelsea and Everton. What does this mean for Lampard’s career? During his caretaker tenure at Chelsea, Lampard spoke openly about his decision to choose his next job. It looks like he made the right choice. How Coventry returned to the Premier League after 25 years13 Hours agoCoventry promotion unique and special – Lampard11 Hours agoCoventry draw with Blackburn to win promotions to Premier LeagueEarly Arrival and Squad BreakfastsCoventry was at a low point when Lampard arrived. Mark Robins led them from League Two into the Premier League in 2023, but they lost the play-off final on penalties to Luton. Robins’ reign included an FA Cup semifinal, which they also lost on penalties to Manchester United. But Lampard needed to re-energize the club. In November 2024, he told the team and staff at Ryton that they were better than their table indicated. He took over the club when they were 17th, beating John Eustace for the job. The season ended in a dramatic play-off semifinal defeat by Sunderland. Lampard has influenced players to join CBS Arena, even though they had other options. They wanted to work with the former England midfielder, who has 106 caps. Coventry kept their best players by rejecting Sheffield United’s bids to sign Bobby Thomas, while Milan van Ewijk chose to stay despite Wolfsburg’s interest. The Blades made multiple offers for Thomas, but Lampard made clear that he wanted him to stay and formed a strong relationship. Lampard’s humbleness and knowledge surprised some players when he joined the squad, despite his decorated career. Lampard usually arrives at Coventry’s Sky Blue Lodge training grounds around 7.30am. He uses the gym and then has breakfast with the team. He will allow the players to talk. The transition from Robins and Lampard was fluid, as the squad’s average age began to decrease. Lampard is more than just a coach. The fact that he has been able to top the table with the same team shows his ability to recover. It has allowed him, for the very first time, to feel like a boss, and not a player, when he speaks with staff. Some Coventry fans feel that Lampard was needed by the club and vice versa. This is hard to argue with, given the outcome. Jack Rudoni, who joined Coventry for PS5m from Huddersfield five months before Lampard arrived, has thrived under Lampard. “People only see him as the gaffer, because they don’t really know him. But he’s much more than that,” he told BBC Sport. “He is a good man and has a great rapport with everyone. “You can talk to him about anything, and he’ll give you advice on football or not. There is no one better to learn from. He has been brilliant on and off the field. “We have a great relationship and we communicate often. He helps me with small things, like timing runs, where to go, and even shooting techniques. “He has been brilliant. It’s great to be able to guide me and give tips. I’m happy that it worked out on the field, which then repays him for working with me. “Now Lampard will focus on building a Coventry team that is capable to compete in the Premier League. This will ensure the Sky Blues return to the top tier for the first time since the mid-1990s is not short lived. Image source, Getty ImagesRelated topicsCoventry CityChampionshipFootball

​

ByDan Roan and Craig Wall, BBC Sport senior journalists3 hours ago95 commentsThe chief executive of Australia’s National Rugby League has said that concerns about a multi-million-pound investment in Super League could drain the talent from the UK game “are completely unfounded”.Andrew Abdo was in the UK, holding talks with British officials regarding the potential groundbreaking deal between the sport’s two leading competitions. “We’re trying to make rugby league as strong as we can in the UK and Europe,” he told BBC Sport. “That is the exact opposite to it becoming a feeder program. “We are doing this to grow, to attract players from other codes to this market and to ensure that there is good investment in pathways for the competition to thrive. Leeds Rhinos Chairman Paul Caddick has also expressed concern about the prospect of investment. He said, “we do not intend to be swallowed up”. Caddick said that if Australia took value out of English rugby, the gap would only grow and we would be subservient to Australia. This is something I wouldn’t agree to. “It all comes down to the first question, ‘why?’ It’s not about extracting our wealth or enabling them. Abdo responded to these concerns by saying: “I understand that people tend to assume the worst in the absence information. “But the fears that the Super League will become a feeder to the NRL are far from the reason we’re doing it. “Rugby league in Australia has grown significantly over the last decade. But Caddick has warned that the challenges facing the sport are greater in the UK because of the dominance in football. He added that the NRL was not “a magical ticket or Father Christmas”. “We fully comprehend the challenges that this market presents. We listen to understand the challenges and opportunities that this market presents. “Who would be in charge? Image source, Getty ImagesThe NRL is run by an independent body – the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) – and it wants to replicate that model in the UK if it is to invest. Abdo revealed a deal depends on “assurances that we can actually have the ability implement our gameplan”. Image source, Getty imagesThe NRL, which is run by the Australian Rugby League Commission, is an independent body. It wants to replicate this model in the UK to attract investment. Abdo revealed that a deal is dependent on “assurances we can implement the gameplan”. “The ability to execute a plan comes from very clear governance, which allows decision-makers to think about the long-term interests of the sport as a whole and not just the short-term. “We’re doing it because we believe in the game and want to globalise. If the two biggest competitions in the World are able to work together and co-operate, it can only strengthen rugby league. “To be able invest, you need a strong and clear governance. I think that is part of the current challenge. So that’s something we’re working on. “While Super League club owners lose a total amount of almost PS20m each year, attendance and audiences have increased. Peter V’landys said last year that the UK game was heading for a ‘train crash’ if it didn’t find ways to increase its revenue. Abdo responded that the NRL was not interested in Super League returning to a winter competition in order to allow the sport to be broadcasted year-round globally. If aggregating all rugby league rights is beneficial to us in the future, we will certainly consider it. Negotiations are encouraging, despite no formal offer from the NRL. Jones told BBC Sport that the sport was open to investment. “The NRL fits perfectly.” They are the most likely to be the leaders in the current negotiations we are having with different parties. “I don’t believe this will be a lengthy process because we have some planning to do. The earlier an investor comes on board, the more beneficial it will be for everyone. Jones said Super League already had “a growth trajectory”, and that investment will “turbocharge” the league. However, he admitted that “finance” and “control” issues still needed to be resolved. Jones responded that the ARLC wants to decide on the composition of an independent commission which would run Super League. “But for the moment, that’s a’redline’ because it’s vital that the UK game be represented. Our governance structure is already independent. “I believe there is a solution that will allow both parties to feel comfortable that they have some control. However, the UK game still has some control over how this territory is run. “This isn’t a takeover. This is a partnership, but also an investment. There is capital, but there are also synergies between the two competitions that play in the same sport. The NRL also has expertise to offer the game in the UK. “It is about globalisation and making sure that the sport can be seen as widely as possible. We talked about pathways and it wasn’t just about bringing the best talent from England to Australia. It was about how we can improve the UK’s pathway system and deliver better. “One of the most important parts of the discussion was that ‘this cannot just flow through to the clubs and into players’ salaries and inflate the players’ wages.’ “Yes, the money goes to the clubs, but also to the centre. It has to take care of the women’s, wheelchair and community games. “Related TopicsRugby LeagueMore about this storySuper League is in danger of a ‘crash,’ says V’landys28 Oct 2025Which Super League games will BBC broadcast live in 2026?”

​

Image Image The The The The After After

​

Image source: Getty ImagesByTom RstanceBBC Sport Journalist5 hours ago120 commentsRBC Heritage, Second round-14 M Fitzpatrick, (Eng); -13V Hovland, (Nor); -10H English, (US); -9S Straka, (Aut), L Aberg, (Swe), P Cantlay, (US)Selected : -8 R MacIntyre, (Sco), R Fowler, (US); -7 Fitzpatrick admitted that the shot was indeed lucky. It’s nice when you get that in a hurry, but it’s even better to use it. Hovland, of Norway, remains his closest competitor after a stunning birdie on the 17th hole kept him in contention. Hovland, who was playing alongside Fitzpatrick and world number one Scottie Schaffler, shot a disciplined 67. The American, despite hitting every fairway and converting several birdie chances, is seven shots behind.

​

Nick Mashiter, Football reporter, 17 April 202994 CommentsAfter 25 Years, Coventry is back in the Premier League. The Sky Blues have been in the Premier League for 9,113 days. They were relegated by Aston Villa after a 3-2 loss on 5 May 2001. After 11 years in the Championship they were relegated and fell into bankruptcy in 2013. After 11 years in the Championship, they were relegated to League One and fell into administration in 2013. Sources admit that there was cautious optimism when the season began, but they didn’t expect such success to happen so quickly. Lampard, who replaced Mark Robins as fan favourite in November 2024, had a calming influence in his first summer at the club. Carl Rushworth has had the most impact on the team, but it is still largely the same as last season despite the additions of Romain Onyeka and Frank Onyeka mid-season. Insiders are impressed by how Lampard has led the squad after last season’s disappointment. After they consolidated themselves in the top 2, the goal of automatic promotions changed to winning the group title. Lampard was hired ahead of ex-player John Eustace because King, the owner, is a big fan. King has a permanent office at the training grounds, where he regularly chats with staff and knows them all by names. He is often seen in the canteen, making coffee and talking with the chef. Sky Blue Lodge has a more inclusive atmosphere because there is no separate area for first team. The training ground is now a place for players to build team spirit. An upgraded, expanded gym allows everyone to train together. The players used to rotate in groups to use the old gym. Even the drive up to the training ground was upgraded in recent times – a sleek and professional set-up with well-lit banks has replaced the old, unkempt grassy banks. Lampard is a unique and special promotion for Coventry. Image source: Getty Images. Lampard has an aura of a player that has won it all in club football. His influence convinced players who had other options to sign with Coventry. Lampard has to make sure that his players, both new and established, feel like they are part of the team even when they don’t play much. Lampard has been able to pass on his experience and advice to players who have not played much. This is especially true after last year’s semi-final loss to Sunderland. Matt Grimes, the captain, has also given motivational messages. He has talked about other title-winning teams and even inspired the players when they had a stutter in January. The players are confident in Lampard even though they know that there will be some changes made to prepare them for the top flight. I don’t want to talk too much. My situation in a big match 15 years ago is probably different from theirs, but it could be one of the benefits of having a long and successful career. You’ve lived it. “I can offer some personal reflections or words that can impact the players. I’ve been here before. If you don’t play the game correctly – by relaxing or letting the pressure get to you – then every game can be a banana peel. “I try to keep things simple, but if I want to poke them, I will. “I think I get along well with them. I can poke them and sometimes you have to try to find the best situation. “Those pokes were rarely needed this year. Only once have they lost consecutive league games, losing to Norwich and QPR respectively in January after a 10-point advantage evaporated. Middlesbrough and Coventry were tied on 58 points by the end of January. Coventry has won eight of the 13 games since then. Boro even reached the top spot in February, but Coventry beat them 3-1 in order to regain control. In 99 seasons, Coventry has only won five consecutive games five times. Three of those came under Lampard, this season, after another streak in last season. “You’re welcomed,” he joked. “I’m glad, of course I’m, it should reflect on the staff and the players.” “I, Chris [Jones] & Joe [Edwards] drove here a year and a half ago and we were all new. “We’ve enjoyed it, but the boys and everyone else have worked so hard. The players are those who deliver. “Of all the changes Lampard has brought about, none is more important than changing the pessimistic Sky Blue mindset. Coventry fans can be forgiven their pessimistic outlook after a decade of blows both on and off the pitch. Regaining a top-flight position has restored faith. “I watched them fall through the leagues. Lampard said that the syndrome may be a right of the fans. “I was a West Ham supporter growing up and it was the same, but in a different manner, as they reflected back on 1966. I went to Everton and it felt similar. It’s human nature. Maybe it’s British cultural – expect the worst, but I get it. “It is part of the fun. It doesn’t sound like fun, but you have to suffer in order to enjoy the good stuff. “Related topicsCoventry CityChampionshipFootball