‘Had to be a big boy' – Frank Lampard says he has no intention of swapping Coventry for TV studio despite play-off blow

The Sun

2 days ago

FRANK LAMPARD accepts he is a glutton for punishment.
One of the Premier League's greatest ever stars has had to deal with more than his fair share of 'hurt' as a boss having been brutally sacked by both Chelsea and Everton.
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That followed his experience of suffering Wembley play-off final heartache when he was cutting his managerial teeth in charge of Derby.
And if that wasn't enough to put him off the managerial lark, he watched on helplessly as Coventry were cruelly defeated in the play-off semi at Sunderland last May.
But, no matter, the Coventry boss says he has no intention of swapping cold, wet Tuesday nights in Stoke for the comfort of the TV studio like fellow Prem icons.
And nor does Lamps have any plans to work on his handicap on the golf course rather than patrolling the training ground like other ex-pros.
But, instead, he's relishing the challenge of leading the Sky Blues from the depths of despair to another tilt at Prem promotion.
Lampard had to fight back the tears when Cov were dramatically denied a place in the Championship play-off final by Dan Ballard's dramatic last-gasp winner on Wearside in May.
The cruel finale meant there was no fairytale ending for the Sky Blues who were 17th when Lampard took charge following Mark Robins' sacking.
But, in an exclusive SunSport interview, Lampard, 47, has admitted he can't wait to give it another go.
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'Ex-players have their choices in terms of what they want to do with their lives,' Lampard told SunSport.
'They can play golf, they can go into punditry or they can just go into a different line of work.
'I was 38, 39 I was when I finished and there's still a long way to go in your life and management is my line of work.
'And I have to admit I love doing what I do. I love working with the players. I love being on the training pitch. I love working with people.
'Everyone has their choices and I've made my choice and this is a challenging career but there's also a lot of pluses to it.
'I've pitted my wits against elite managers in the Champions League, managed at Chelsea, at Everton and at Derby and every single experience is valuable.'
And, win or lose, there seems little chance that Chelsea legend Lampard, who won 11 major trophies in 13 years at Stamford Bridge, will not see things in perspective.
But surely he found it difficult to pick himself up after what happened at the Stadium of Light?
'Yes and no,' says Lampard with a smile. 'If you ask my wife, she'll say yes, but if you ask me, I've been there before.
'I've had what I think you can describe as a really good playing career and managerial career.
'But within that, there's ups and downs all the time and that comes with the football territory.
'There are some things you can't quite control – like the Sunderland game in the end.
'But I've got a bit more balance about things like that at the moment even though they really hurt at the time.
'I had to be a big boy and make sure it didn't ruin my summer and it helps that I've developed a good work-life balance.
'I've got children who are all happy and healthy, so you just keep plugging away, sticking at it, giving it your best shot.'
And that will mean turning pain into gain at the CBS Arena after the agonising near-miss.
'It was turning into a special story - we were one step away from Wembley and playing really well, particularly in those playoff games,' he added.
'It ultimately came down to small details - chances you don't convert and a header that comes off a shoulder and goes in.
'There was deep disappointment but you get over that because it's football and you have no choice but to start again.
'I spoke to lot of people over the summer. I met Coventry fans and neutrals and they all told me how well we'd done.
'That made me feel proud but my job is to understand that the hard work starts again.'
Lampard added: 'We'd made all these strides and then when you miss out, you feel as manager of a club that you have a big responsibility in it.
'I still had a relatively good summer because I was with my family and had a break.
'But there were things, I was thinking all the time. I'm just thinking how can we do better and how can we try and start the season better.
'I can't wait to get back to the competitive games. I'm raring to go.'