On the evening of 17/4, Coventry drew one-one away at Blackburn Rovers, thanks to an equalizer from Bobby Thomas in the 84th minute. This result solidified Coventry's top spot in the Championship with 86 points, leaving third-placed Millwall 13 points behind with three rounds remaining, securing their direct promotion.

Head coach Frank Lampard celebrates after Coventry's one-one draw against Blackburn Rovers in round 43 of the Championship on 17/4. Photo: Reuters

In a post-match interview, Lampard was visibly emotional amidst the jubilant celebrations at Ewood Park. "It's incredible. The fans have endured so much disappointment but have always stood by the team. They deserve this moment now," he said. "This is a big club, with history and special significance for the city."

Lampard took charge of Coventry in November 2024. With the club, he has recorded 42 wins, 16 draws, and 20 losses – a win rate of 53,8%. When the English manager took over, Coventry was only in 17th place. But in less than two years, Lampard has transformed Coventry, leading them back to the Premier League for the first time since 2001.

Lampard admitted he had not fully grasped the club's stature before accepting the managerial role. The 47-year-old coach revealed that the team's initial goal was merely to reach the play-off spots, but Coventry surpassed expectations by securing promotion with three rounds to spare.

"We didn't plan for direct promotion. The whole team was only thinking about finishing in the top 4 or 5," Lampard said, asserting that the team is not stopping there. "I've been through many seasons where we had to wait until the last minute to achieve our goals. Fortunately, this year isn't like that. Achieving our goal early feels fantastic. But we still want to win the league."

Lampard is considered one of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history. He played for Chelsea from 2001 to 2014, scoring 211 goals in 648 appearances and winning 13 titles, including three Premier League titles and one Champions League.

The former England international views helping Coventry achieve promotion in the current circumstances as a special accomplishment. "Back then, I could thank Didier Drogba or John Terry. But now, what this team has achieved is thanks to extraordinary effort," he expressed.

Hong Duy (according to Sky Sports)