Leicester City icon Gary Lineker makes surprise Coventry City claim after promotion | OneFootball

Leicester City legend Gary Lineker has revealed his thoughts after Coventry City won promotion from the Championship to the Premier League

Leicester City legend Gary Lineker has weighed in on Coventry City's historic promotion from the Championship to the Premier League.

Coventry secured their top-flight return after 25 years away from the Premier League by drawing 1-1 with Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park last Friday.

Defender Bobby Thomas etched himself into Sky Blues folklore by heading home an 85th-minute equaliser after Ryoya Morishita opened the scoring for Rovers.

Thomas has been a particularly influential figure for Frank Lampard's men this term, but he is just one part of a history-making team that the CBS Arena faithful will never forget.

Gary Lineker reveals how he feels as Leicester City's rivals Coventry City seal Premier League return

Former Match of the Day host Lineker's illustrious football career began with his local club, Leicester, before he went on to represent Everton, Barcelona, and Tottenham Hotspur.

The ex-England striker is a famous face among the Foxes fan base, and has shared his thoughts following rivals Coventry's promotion to the Premier League.

Speaking on the latest episode of The Rest Is Football, Lineker said: "Super Frankie Lampard, what a great job he’s done. When he took over, they were not far above the drop zone last season, they made the play-offs, didn’t manage to get up in the play-offs.

"Then this season, they’ve pretty much (been) start to finish at the top of the table. They’ve made it into the Premier League. They’re the first team ever to be in the Premier League, then go down to League Two, and then get back to the Premier League.

"They’re one of our rivals, Leicester, but I have to say I’m chuffed for Frank, and I’ve got a few Coventry City friends, so I’m pleased for them. Might be tough in the Premier League, but it doesn’t matter."

Supporters of both Leicester and Coventry may be surprised to hear that the Foxes icon is pleased by the fact that the Sky Blues have won promotion to the top flight, especially amid the King Power Stadium outfit's Championship relegation struggles.

Lineker is set to analyse the CBS Arena club's latest ongoings next season, as part of The Rest Is Football's weekly Premier League review show.

Coventry City face a vital summer as Premier League survival eyed

As demonstrated by Lineker's comments, Coventry can enjoy their incredible feat of winning promotion from the Championship to the top flight for now.

The current season has been a glorious one that the Sky Blues faithful will never forget, but the West Midlands club's overall journey has been even more impressive.

Coventry only won promotion from League Two to League One in 2018, and were subsequently crowned third-tier champions six years ago, amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Sky Blues' rise from the fourth tier to the Premier League has included monetary struggles, which saw them playing home games away from their city, in both Northampton and Birmingham.

Current owner, Doug King, has done an incredible job, though, and has ensured his club own the CBS Arena as well as overseeing their long-awaited top-flight return.

King's decision to replace former boss Mark Robins with Lampard last season was highly controversial, but ultimately proved to be the correct choice.

The Sky Blues owner is now tasked with a vital summer, as he must ready Lampard's squad for a Premier League survival battle.

With transfer activity in mind, Coventry have eyed a move for Middlesbrough ace Hayden Hackney, as reported by the Daily Mail, but King won't want to stop there.