Frank Lampard's connection with José Mourinho remains strong years after their successful spell together at Chelsea, with the Coventry City boss revealing that he still turns to his former manager for professional advice.
Key Points:
- Frank Lampard recently contacted José Mourinho for advice on an unnamed player during the summer transfer window.
- Mourinho remains a major influence on Lampard's management style, particularly in man-management and communication.
- The Coventry City boss says he has matured during his 18 months at the club and is focused on developing his own managerial identity.
- Lampard now faces Arsenal in Coventry's first Premier League game back in the top flight, with the champions providing an immediate test.
Lampard Still Turns to Mourinho for Transfer Advice
Despite Mourinho now being back in charge of Real Madrid, Lampard recently contacted the Portuguese coach for advice on an unnamed player during the summer transfer window. Mourinho took the time to provide a detailed assessment of the player, showing that their professional relationship remains intact.
"Jose's always there. Between us now, I did message him the other day about another player - not a Real Madrid player - but a player that he worked with previously and he's always on call," Lampard told talkSPORT.
Lampard admitted that Mourinho can sometimes take a couple of days to respond due to his busy schedule, but said the eventual feedback was extremely detailed.
"It takes him a couple of days sometimes. I know he's a busy man. But he came back with a very, very detailed talk about a certain player we're talking about."
Mourinho's Lasting Influence on Lampard's Management Style
Mourinho's influence extends beyond transfer advice, with Lampard acknowledging the lasting impact his former boss has had on his own managerial career.
The Coventry manager enjoyed some of his best years as a player under Mourinho at Chelsea, and still regards the Portuguese as the coach who had the biggest influence on his career. While Lampard is determined to develop his own identity in the dugout, lessons from Mourinho continue to shape his approach to man-management and communication.
Reflecting on the Mourinho documentary, Lampard said revisiting the early Chelsea years brought back "great memories" and reminded him of the confidence Mourinho gave him. "I knew I loved Jose a long time ago, but seeing it all back was great. I worked with lots of great managers, but he was the one who had the greatest impact on my career when he came in because of the confidence he gave me."
However, Lampard stressed that he has no intention of simply copying his former manager. "I think many managers have tried to imitate Jose, to a degree, and I wouldn't or couldn't do that because I don't have his characteristics. I have my own."
Lampard's Evolution at Coventry City
After 18 months at the CBS Arena, Lampard believes he has grown significantly as a manager since his previous spells with Derby County, Chelsea and Everton.
The Coventry City boss highlighted the importance of finding the right psychological balance in a profession defined by constant pressure and extreme highs and lows. Rather than trying to become a "tribute act" to Mourinho or anyone else, Lampard wants to manage in his own way while focusing on what his squad needs.
Lampard accepts that managers cannot win every game or chase perfection every day. He believes his time at Coventry has helped him develop a healthier approach to handling the demands of management, both on and off the pitch. "You have to get your balance right off the pitch and on the pitch and prioritise the things that really matter."
Lampard Faces Arsenal in Coventry's Premier League Return
Lampard's progress at Coventry City will face an immediate test this weekend when his side travel to the Emirates to face Arsenal.
The match will bring the reality of Coventry's Premier League promotion into sharp focus after 25 years outside the top flight. Lampard is fully aware of the scale of the challenge, particularly against the reigning champions, but insists his players cannot afford to be intimidated.
Lampard reflected on Coventry's remarkable journey and the players' efforts to secure promotion before acknowledging the daunting nature of opening the season away to Arsenal. "And when you see Arsenal away as a first game, it absolutely kicks in because they were, quite rightly, the champions."
Despite the difficult assignment, Lampard wants Coventry to embrace the challenge and focus on their own strengths. "But we have to focus on ourselves. We have to take the challenge head-on that it is."
The Arsenal clash therefore represents more than just Coventry's first game back in the Premier League. It is another opportunity for Lampard to demonstrate how far he has come as a manager while continuing to build his own identity—one that carries lessons from Mourinho, but ultimately belongs to him.
