Coventry City are still revelling in securing promotion back to the Premier League, but with some doubts emerging over the future of manager Frank Lampard, broadcaster Richard Keys has just named his most ‘likely’ destination if he does leave this summer.
Coventry romped to the Championship title after ending the season on 95 points, 11 ahead of second-placed Ipswich Town.
It means that the Sky Blues will be returning to the top flight for the first time since they were releagted in 2001, which is a huge moment for the club and the city.
The celebrations across the city have been brilliant in recent days and weeks, but there is also an elephant in the room.
Lampard only has one year remaining on his contract at the Coventry Building Society Arena, and with no agreement reached yet over an extension, it has led to speculation over his future with City.
The issue for Coventry is that despite the fact that they will be a Premier League club next season, there are also set to be a number of jobs becoming available in the top flight this summer that Lampard could be shortlisted for.
Keys: Lampard ‘Likely’ to Join Fulham if he Leaves Coventry
While Bournemouth have already named Marco Rose as their replacement for the outgoing Andoni Iraola, other jobs at Crystal Palace, Fulham and Chelsea could be available this summer.
Oliver Glasner is already confirmed to be leaving Selhurst Park, Chelsea are looking for their new boss, while Marco Silva’s contract expires at the end of the season and there has been no development over him committing his future to them.
Richard Keys has been discussing Lampard’s future in his latest blog released on Wednesday, and while the Coventry-supporting presenter is hopeful that the 47-year-old remains as manager, he has revealed he has heard some concerning things.
Keys wrote: ‘Does Frank Lampard stay at Coventry? I obviously hope so, but it’ll be dependent on how much owner Doug King wants to commit to a PL campaign.
‘The model is likely to be to sign a few players on £40-45g/week with a promise they can go if we go down. Will that be enough? I think we’ve got some good players, but they’ll need help.
‘If Lampard leaves it’ll likely be for Fulham. I keep hearing his name linked with it.’
Coventry Need Stronger Squad for Premier League
Lampard’s short-term future could be decided by owner Doug King’s approach to the summer transfer market.
Sunderland and Leeds United look set to become the first promoted clubs since the 2022-23 season to stay up, which shows the huge gap that exists between the Premier League and the Championship right now.
Sunderland spent big, which has left them in 12th position with three games to go, whereas Burnley were much more conservative and have already been relegated and could finish bottom.
Lampard says that while the current celebrations are merited, serious conversations need to be had to ensure the club is prepared for what is going to be a tough Premier League season, with new additions needed.
The outcome of those talks could decide Lampard’s short and long-term future, with bigger clubs aware of the job he has done at Coventry.