Frank Lampard Made Club's 'First Choice' Target After Coventry Success
Coventry City head coach Frank Lampard has reportedly emerged as the favourite to undertake a currently vacant managerial role.
Lampard, 47, is currently the Sky Blues’ head coach, having joined the West Midlands side in November 2024, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal.
Since then, the former Chelsea and Manchester City midfielder’s tenure has coincided with an upturn in Coventry’s fortunes, with the side currently top of the Championship on 28 points with a record of eight wins, four draws and just one defeat – a 3-2 loss away at Wrexham on October 31 - in 13 league games this term.
And if Lampard’s side’s impressive form continues, Coventry may well be playing their football in the Premier League next term, having last featured in English football’s top-flight back in 2001.
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However, according to reports, Lampard could be on his way to another Championship club after they sacked their head coach over the weekend.
On Sunday, now-former Southampton boss Will Still was sacked after just five months in charge of the Saints.
The 33-year-old, who arrived from Ligue 1 outfit Lens in the summer, guided the south coast side to just two wins in 13 Championship games this term, with the players booed off following their 2-0 defeat by Preston North End on Saturday, which saw them drop to 21st in English football’s second-tier.
Shortly after the news was confirmed on the club’s website, journalist Graeme Bailey took to social media claiming Lampard was the preferred choice to replace the now-departed Still.
“Frank Lampard wanted by club hierarchy, but a number of options being assessed,” Bailey posted on Sunday.
In a separate post, he added: “Southampton started work on list of replacements midway through last month.
“Lampard has always been first-choice, but keep an eye on the likes of Stoke manager Mark Robins, England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley and Gary O'Neil - who is in the running to return to Wolves.”
It is unclear if Lampard would be willing to leave Coventry to take up the Southampton vacancy.
The Englishman previously managed Derby County, Chelsea and Everton.
But who else is in the running to arrive at struggling Southampton?
According to Oddschecker, ex-Saints boss Russell Martin returns odds of 6/4, while Michael Carrick, who most recently managed Middlesbrough, is at 5/1, with former Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers and previous Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl at 8/1.
Next permanent Southampton head coach odds
Russell Martin – 6/4
Michael Carrick – 5/1
Brendan Rodgers – 8/1
Ralph Hasenhuttl – 8/1
Gary O’Neil – 10/1
Lee Carsley – 10/1
*Odds correct as of 07:35 on Monday, 3 November.
Topics: Frank Lampard, Southampton
Luke Davies