Frank Lampard "problem" claim made as Southampton eye Coventry City boss | OneFootball

Frank Lampard has been backed to stay at Coventry City despite interest from Southampton in the boss.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Coventry City have been backed to keep Frank Lampard for another year, even if the manager may be tempted by the chance to join Southampton.

The south coast outfit made the decision to sack Ivan Juric after their relegation from the Premier League was confirmed on Sunday.

That has given the club plenty of time to find a replacement ahead of the new Championship season, and reports have claimed that Lampard is a target for Saints.

Frank Lampard attracting interest from Southampton

The former Derby chief has done a superb job with the Sky Blues since he was named as Mark Robins’ successor back in November.

After inheriting a group that were languishing in the bottom half, Coventry have gone on a remarkable run that has left them with a serious chance of reaching the play-offs. Plus, they have done it playing a stylish, attacking brand of football that the fans have got behind.

Therefore, it’s perhaps no surprise that Lampard is on the radar of Southampton, who will be looking to bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt next season.

Frank Lampard tipped to stay at Coventry City

Clearly, this is a worry for Coventry, as they will feel they are at the start of a long-term project with Lampard, and it would be a blow for him to depart at this stage.

And, when it was put to fan pundit Chris by FLW about how much of a concern this interest is, he admitted the chance to join Southampton would naturally appeal given the resources clubs relegated from the top-flight have over the rest of the league.

“I think this was always going to be the problem with having a big-name manager, former player and legend like Lampard.

“When we hit that run of form of winning eight in nine, and then went even further and had literally the best form in our entire club's history, teams were always going to come sniffing.

“I know that Rangers’ name was thrown in the hat, and it’s funny, because a few months before we were a laughing stock for Lampard coming in, as people were saying he had found his level, and us as a club were being made fun of. So, it’s funny how things change.

“Southampton are obviously a big club, they’ve brought through many players who have gone on to do great things. They’re a good club with good foundations, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Lampard did go there. They would be able to pay him more, they have parachute payments, and they’ll probably sell the likes of Tyler Dibling and Taylor Harwood-Bellis, which would give him loads of money to spend to try and get them back.”

However, he was also confident that a combination of Saints having other options available to them, and Lampard’s relationship with Coventry’s fans and board, means the Chelsea legend will be in the dugout at the CBS Arena come August.

“But, I hope that Lampard looks at Southampton, and how much of a yo-yo club they are, and that might put him off a bit.

“He clearly believes in the project here. We brought in the one player he really wanted in January in Matty Grimes, and he will be backed by Doug King in the summer.

“He has made a really good connection with the fans, he has been great in the media when talking about Coventry, and he’s really honest and takes responsibility. He has made such a good impact.

“I don’t think we will win the play-offs, but if we somehow do, he will obviously stay. If we end up in this league, I have my fingers and toes crossed that he will stick around for at least a full season, and really implement his style and have a full window to bring in the players he wants, and to mould the team in his image.

“I’m not too worried at the moment, especially when there are other managers, like Danny Rohl, that Southampton might be more tempted to go for.

“Lampard did a good job at Derby and Chelsea, not so much at Everton, so he’s only just dipping his toes back in the water of the Championship, so fingers crossed they go for someone with more pedigree.”

Frank Lampard can build a long-term project at Coventry City

You can understand why Southampton will be an interesting option for Lampard if they firm up their interest, but it does feel too early for him to move on.

His reputation suffered somewhat when Coventry appointed him, and the club took a lot of flak for replacing Robins with the 46-year-old.

With that in mind, you get the feeling he will want to repay the loyalty and faith King showed in him, and it’s worth pointing out that if Coventry don’t go up this season, they will have ambitions of reaching the Premier League next season - like Southampton. So, it’s debatable as to how big a step-up it actually is.

For now, though, Lampard’s only focus is on reaching and winning the play-offs with the Sky Blues, in which case there will be no doubt about his future.