Coventry City manager Frank Lampard believes he’s the hungriest he’s ever been as a manager ahead of the club’s Premier League opener against Arsenal.
The legendary midfielder was appointed Coventry City manager in Nov. 2024, nearly leading the team back to the top flight in his first season. The following campaign the Sky Blues won the EFL Championship to return to the Premier League for the first time in 25 years.
While celebrations have been going on in the West Midlands all summer, the Premier League is looking to further facilitate overseas growth with their upcoming Coast to Coast event. Built around 20 unique watch parties from Aug. 21-24, Coventry City is teaming up with Detroit City FC in Michigan for, “a partnership centered around soccer and the two cities’ storied heritage in the auto industry,” the league said in a press release.
Lampard spoke to SB Nation ahead of the event to discuss his journey with the club, the excitement behind their return to the Premier League and the activation.
“When I came to Coventry, I was aware of their history as a football club as far as being a top tier team when I grew up. I was aware of it from the outside, but didn’t realize the strength of support from inside the city that the team and the club has,” Lampard said.
“It was great to understand that and it feels even stronger because of the journey. That connection between players and fans has really grown on and off the pitch. Obviously football is the important thing, getting to the Premier League was a huge deal for us, and now it’s nice being part of a journey where the club is trying to grow further.”
Lampard’s first game back as a Premier League manager is against Mikel Arteta and the reigning champions Arsenal. The two are somewhat tied together in their coaching careers given they both took over a “top six” side and faced off in the FA Cup final during the 2019-20 season.
Lampard reflected on what he sees differently now as a manager compared to when he first stepped into a technical area.
“As a manager you have to try and improve all the time. Every situation you walk into is different, and I’ve had a lot of good experiences where I hope I’ve progressed in lots of ways,” Lampard told SB Nation.
“One specific thing is my own way of finding my personal balance with things, not being too reactionary to things because this job gives you so many little things to solve during the week. I think I understand myself better now with how I want to coach. I feel true to myself, not trying to be anything I’m not. When we’re having tough times, I try to be the one with the cool head. When we’re winning lots of games, I try to be the one with the cool head. I think I feel more comfortable within myself in this role and I’m as hungry as ever.“
Coventry City and Arsenal open the 2026-27 Premier League season on Friday, Aug. 21 at 3 p.m. ET at Emirates Stadium.