Frank Lampard ‘one of the best in the world’ as Coventry prepare for ‘baptism of fire’ in Premier League return

Frank Lampard has been named as one of the world’s best coaches by Coventry City captain Matt Grimes.

The Sky Blues midfielder also called upon their supporters to revel in the upcoming season as they prepare for their Premier League return.

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Coventry made their way back into the top flight after a 25-year exile when they won the 2025/26 Championship title in April.

Lampard joined the club 17 months earlier with relegation a concern. However, he nearly achieved promotion in his first season, only to lose to Sunderland in the play-offs.

But he later went a step further and is a Premier League manager yet again after stints at Everton and his beloved Chelsea.

Grimes has spent a season-and-a-half at Coventry under the Blues legend, who he believes is up there with some of the very best in the management game.

In an exclusive interview with talkSPORT, the club skipper revealed: “I spoke to him on the phone before coming here, and the way he sold the project was a big incentive to come.

“Obviously, you want to learn from the best coaches in world – I believe he is that, and he was one of the best players in the world as well.

“All the knowledge he has, you try and soak in on a day-to-day basis. He’s a pleasure to work with, you can see he’s got the absolute maximum out of this group.

“We’re ready to follow him now into the Premier League.”

The champions? Bring it on

Last month, Coventry learned that they would face Premier League holders Arsenal in the opening match of the new season.

The Friday night fixture, which will be live and exclusive on talkSPORT, will come at the Emirates Stadium on August 21.

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Arsenal will arrive on their home turf brimming with confidence that they can make a winning start to their title defence.

However, Grimes and his teammates are relishing the challenge that awaits them in 18 days’ time.

“It doesn’t get much more difficult than the champions away from home,” he said. “We’re looking forward to it, it’s a bit of a baptism of fire to be honest.

“But you want to test yourself against the best, and that’s as difficult a task as you’re going to get in the Premier League this season.

“We’ll make sure we’re ready for it.”

Coventry ‘back where they belong’

Relegation from the Premier League in 2001 came amid reported debts of £60million at Coventry.

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They sold their former ground Highfield Road two years earlier and began work on their new home, the Coventry Building Society Arena.

Arena Coventry Limited (ACL), a partnership of Coventry City Council and The Alan Edward Higgs Charity, first owned the stadium.

However, the Sky Blues were involved in a row over rent and had to play the 2012/13 season at Sixfields, home of Northampton Town.

They then played at Birmingham City’s ground of St Andrew’s for two seasons after failing to agree a deal with rugby side Wasps.

Finally, Coventry returned to their home in 2021 and, four years later, bought it from the Mike Ashley-led Frasers Group.

Now that they are back in the big time, the future looks bright, and Grimes has called upon supporters to soak it all in next season.

“Just enjoy it,” he said. “We’ve been through so much, or, you guys have been through so much for so many years. We’re back where we belong, go and enjoy it.

“Enjoy every game no matter the result, no matter the situation. Just take as much from it as you can.”