Frank Lampard 'closing in' on shock return to management which will be his last chance

Frank Lampard is ‘closing in’ on a shock return to management, it has been claimed.

Earlier this week, Mark Robins, who had been the English Football League’s longest serving manager, was sacked by Coventry.

The 54-year-old returned for his second spell at the club in March 2017 after the sacking of Russell Slade.

Robins’ departure, which came after Coventry claimed just four wins from their opening 14 Championship games, was announced on Tuesday, just over 17 months after he got the Sky Blues to the play-off final where they were beaten on penalties by Luton Town.

And according to the Mirror, Lampard is at the top of the list of replacements for Robins.

Lampard has been out of frontline management since leaving his interim role at Chelsea over a season ago.

The publication has claimed Lampard is one of Coventry owner Doug King’s preferred candidates, despite Wycombe Wanderers’ boss Matt Bloomfield having led the early betting.

Coventry icon Steve Ogrizovic was among those to question the dismissal of Robins, who took the Sky Blues from League Two to being a game away from Premier League promotion.

Robins was the longest serving manager in the Football League (Getty)

"Very few things in football shock me but this is a poor decision," the ex-goalkeeper told BBC CWR. "It's not a knee-jerk decision because I think this is planned and Doug King has got a plan in the back of his mind, although what that is I don't know.

"Mark Robins had more to give, look at the club since the day he came in and it's been year-on-year success and progression.

"The sun has been shining on Coventry and they got back into the Championship and along the way there were some great memories for people.

"The stadium is full now and it wasn't when Mark Robins first came to the club."