Frank Lampard says Jose Mourinho had a major influence on his coaching philosophy as he prepares Coventry for a demanding return to the top tier of English football.
Lampard was speaking on talkSPORT Drive before Coventry’s opening fixture away to reigning champions Arsenal on Friday.
Coventry have not played in the top league for 25 years, but Lampard says the club’s promotion was earned by a squad that performed “exceptionally well” last season.
“Now, reality has certainly set in,” he said. “Seeing an away game against Arsenal in the first round makes it even more real, because they are deserved champions.”
The former England midfielder insists his players should not be intimidated by the challenge, despite facing the strongest possible opposition at the start of the campaign.
“We have to focus on ourselves and meet the challenge head-on,” Lampard said. “You’re going to play the strongest teams away all season, so the sooner the better.”
He added: “I don’t want the players to be intimidated by the opponent, they deserve to play in the top tier of English football. We are going to challenge the champions, and hopefully we can perform at our best.”
Coventry secured promotion early, which Lampard said made recruitment during the summer more complicated. The later start to the season and a quiet period during the World Cup also meant the club had to wait for some players to return before completing their preparations.
The squad began work early with physical and recovery sessions, while the arrival of new signings over the past two or three weeks allowed Lampard and his staff to concentrate more closely on tactics.
“We’ve been able to focus more on tactics, clarify how we want to play, how to approach this season, first establishing the overall idea, and then specifically preparing for Arsenal,” he said.
Lampard believes the group is in good condition and ready for the competitive campaign, although Coventry still have time to make further additions before the transfer window closes.
“There’s still a little time left in the transfer window, but the games are starting soon, which is good,” he said. “We’ve had enough pre-season friendlies, and we’re now ready for the official matches.”
The Coventry manager also faces the difficult task of keeping faith with the players who won promotion while strengthening the squad sufficiently to compete at the highest level.
“We all understand that the level of English football’s top tier is what it is, it’s the strongest league in the world,” Lampard said.
“The question is, can we maintain the unity and fighting spirit of last season and supplement it with some quality to help the players and take us to the level we want to reach.”
Lampard said new arrivals had settled quickly and that the atmosphere within the squad remained positive.
He cited Sunderland and Leeds as examples of promoted sides whose performances should encourage Coventry. Sunderland qualified for European competition in their first season after promotion, while promoted teams had often been relegated immediately in previous seasons.
Lampard’s coaching staff studied clubs that had survived after promotion, including teams that operated with smaller financial resources but consistently exceeded expectations.
“Sunderland’s performance in the transfer market was excellent first and foremost,” he said. “They were very proactive and made signings in areas that needed strengthening.”
Coventry played Sunderland in the semi-finals the previous season, giving Lampard a close-up view of the side before watching their progress from a distance during the campaign that followed.
