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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, losing the play-off final on penalties to Luton. Robins’ reign included an FA Cup semifinal, which they lost to Manchester United on penalties. But Lampard needed to revitalize 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, given his decorated career. Lampard usually arrives at Coventry’s Sky Blue Lodge training grounds around 7.30am. He uses the gym before eating 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

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Image source: Getty ImagesByTom RstanceBBC Sport Journalist1 hour ago37 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.

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Image source: Getty ImagesBySimon StoneManchester United Reporter17 April 202353 CommentsManchester United’s head coach Michael Carrick has said that no decision has yet been made about the future of forward Marcus Rashford. The 28-year old is on a year-long loan to Spanish club Barcelona, after falling out with Old Trafford. Old Trafford’s hierarchy is refusing to allow any changes to the terms of the contract. Barcelona has until 15 June to decide if they want to exercise their EUR30m option to purchase Rashford. “There are decisions to be taken on certain things and Marcus is in this situation,” said Carrick. “But nothing has been decided at this time.” “It’ll be, because at a certain stage it must be, but at this point there’s nothing we can say. “Former manager Ruben Amorim, who left Old Trafford in January, thought Rashford wanted to move on from Old Trafford and join Aston Villa in 2025. Carrick is in an unusual position, as he is a former teammate, coach, and – after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was dismissed in 2021 – manager of one the most recent stars from United’s academy. Rashford is currently the 15th highest goal scorer in club history. Carrick said, “I want to work with everyone here and help them improve.” “At this moment, the squad is made up of these players. There are obviously players on loan and whatever happens later will happen. “As a coach and leader of a team, we want the best from everyone. Carrick was appointed interim manager of the club in the month of January and is now a strong contender to be the permanent boss this summer. Carrick’s immediate focus, however, is on his team’s Premier League trip against Chelsea. A win would put United 10 points ahead of Liam Rosenior and his side. However, their chances are not helped by the suspensions of Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Leny Yoro, who were absent from the group which travelled south from Stockport station on Friday afternoon. Carrick may have to choose between Luke Shaw, Noussair Maaroui, or veteran midfielder Casemiro to play alongside 19-year old Ayden Heaven if Yoro is not available.

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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