Derby County reaction to John Eustace exit concern - Frank Lampard, Coventry City factor mentioned | OneFootball

Derby County boss John Eustace is said to be a top contender to replace Frank Lampard if the ex-Chelsea man leaves Coventry City.

Coventry City's Frank Lampard and Derby County's John Eustace have proven themselves as two of the best managers in the Championship this season.

Lampard's Sky Blues are closing in on booking their place in next season's Premier League, while Eustace could take the Rams to a play-off spot.

Coventry and Derby are grateful for the feats achieved by their respective managers this term, but both Englishmen could leave their current clubs this summer if the right job offers come their way.

Eustace has never managed in the Premier League, whereas Lampard has experienced stints with both Everton and Chelsea, after leaving the Rams in the summer of 2019.

Derby County told not to worry about John Eustace's future as Coventry City, Frank Lampard claim made

Unsurprisingly, Lampard's impressive stewardship at Coventry has led to speculation that he could be tempted away from the CBS Arena this summer.

Such an eventuality would leave the Sky Blues on the hunt for a new boss ahead of next term's Premier League campaign.

According to Football Insider, Coventry have eyed Eustace as a Lampard replacement, should the 47-year-old return to Chelsea ahead of next term.

Current Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior, also formerly of Derby, is under increasing pressure at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues in danger of failing to qualify for the Champions League.

Football League World asked our Rams fan pundit, Shaun Woodward, what his thoughts on those developments were, and if the Pride Park Club should get used to interest from elsewhere given the job Eustace is doing.

Woodward told FLW: "There's so many ifs and buts here. I cannot imagine for one minute Lampard is going to walk away from Coventry after getting them promoted.

"It's not confirmed yet, but they're pretty much up. He's going to be a hero around those parts, and he's got a free hit in the Premier League as well with them, so his stock's not going to fall at all.

"He did this at Derby. He had a good season with us, and then went to Chelsea too soon. It kind of didn't really work out for him, albeit under difficult circumstances at Chelsea.

"But I cannot imagine him making the same mistake again, going to a club off the back of a good season for a Championship club, and not actually giving that club what it deserves in another season under him.

"I don't think he's going to do the same thing as he did at Derby, so with regards to Eustace, yes, there might be clubs that look at him because he's done well at every club he's been at, and rightly so.

"But I believe Eustace has been unfairly treated at quite a lot of clubs he's been at, and I think he's going to appreciate the loyalty that (David) Clowes is showing in him, and the backing he's giving him.

"So, I think he'll want to honour that, and stay at Derby, and carry on building on what he's already done at Derby. So, no, I'm not worried in the slightest."

Frank Lampard shouldn't be tempted by Chelsea switch despite strong Stamford Bridge affinity

Lampard deservedly has legendary status at Chelsea, albeit for his playing days, rather than his managerial exploits in more recent seasons.

However, despite his immense popularity among the Stamford Bridge faithful, the Coventry boss should not be tempted to embark on a third managerial stint with the Blues.

As alluded to by Wooodward, Lampard should want to see what he can do in the Premier League with his current club.

The knock-on effect of that, of course, would be that the Sky Blues would not need to recruit a new boss, making it more likely that Eustace will remain at Derby.