Fresh Frank Lampard twist emerges involving AFC Bournemouth & Coventry City | OneFootball

The Sky Blues boss had reportedly emerged as a managerial target for the Cherries

Coventry City are almost a Premier League side for the first time in 25 years, having been guided to within one victory of securing their top-flight status by Frank Lampard.

The former Chelsea and England midfield icon was installed as head coach on a two-and-a-half year contract by Sky Blues owner, Doug King, in November 2024, shortly after Mark Robins' historical tenure was brought to a frustrating end.

In what has been a compelling Championship season, the West Midlands outfit have been the most consistent side in the division, demonstrated by the fact they are still 10 points clear of second-placed Ipswich Town with four matches to play, and they could seal promotion by achieving just one point on Friday night when they face Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

Doing so will not be straightforward, with Michael O'Neill's team enjoying a recent resurgence which has seen them take points off some of the sides fighting to reach the Premier League next season, and City fans will certainly be more aware of that after their unexpected goalless draw against Sheffield Wednesday at the CBS Arena last time out.

Regardless, the fact Lampard has been able to ensure his team have got over last season's play-off semi-final heartbreak at the hands of Sunderland in emphatic fashion has earned him cult hero status in Coventry, and they will certainly hope he can prove any remaining doubters wrong next season when it comes to his top-flight managerial credentials.

And, in a fresh twist, they could also be pleased to hear one journalist's understanding of reports which have now surfaced linking him to the soon-to-be vacant AFC Bournemouth job, after it was confirmed Andoni Iraola would be leaving the Vitality Stadium at the end of the season.

Journalist drops fresh claim on Frank Lampard, AFC Bournemouth managerial links that will please Coventry City

It was confirmed by the Cherries that Iraola will be departing officially on June 30th once his current contract with the Dorset club expires, having failed to extend terms with the 43-year-old who has given the club a chance of competing in Europe next season.

Rather unsurprisingly, speculation has been rife regarding Iraola's future given the job he has done with Bournemouth, as well as talk already coming to the fore as to who could be his successor.

It had been claimed by the I Paper that Rayo Vallecano boss, Inigo Perez, is a leading candidate on the hierarchy's shortlist to replace Iraola, who he previously worked with at the Estadio de Vallecas.

The same publication also reported that Lampard is very much within their thoughts alongside Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna, with the Coventry boss having well-documented links to the club through the Redknapp family, namely his uncle, Harry, who managed Bournemouth between 1983 and 1992.

Given his prior top-flight managerial record in two spells with Chelsea and another with Everton, it is news which has split opinion, although, according to talkSPORT journalist, Alex Crook, the 47-year-old is not on the Cherries' shortlist, which will please those of a Sky Blues persuasion for the time being.

Coventry City supporters will hope to avoid a similar fate to Derby County with Frank Lampard

As previously mentioned, Crook's update will be good news for City supporters, who are full of excitement given they could have promotion - and potentially the Championship title - sewn up as early as Sunday afternoon depending on how results unfold.

However, they will hope that they can avoid a similar fate to Derby County, where Lampard's managerial career began in the 2018/19 campaign in the second tier.

After guiding the Rams to the play-off final, where they were defeated by Aston Villa, Lampard moved to Stamford Bridge in place of Maurizio Sarri, where his status as a player is unquestioned.

Given that he has links to Bournemouth, albeit not as strong on a personal level this time, this could potentially have a factor, although City fans will be hoping he stays loyal and helps the club consolidate back in the Premier League after a quarter of a century away.