Coventry’s manager on rejuvenating the Championship leaders, coaching highs and lows, and why the ‘golden generation’ debate is overplayed “I’ve got a bit of a fat ankle, you can probably see the swelling,” Frank Lampard says, legs crossed, looking towards his right foot. At first glance it could be mistaken as evidence of his hands-on approach at Coventry City training, collateral damage from partaking in those snappy rondos. The reality is a world away from frontline coaching. “I twisted it playing with the kids in Hyde Park on a Sunday,” he says, breaking into a broad smile. It is Lampard down to a T. As a youngster he was ticked off by his late mother, Patricia, for wearing football boots to bed and once spent a weekend in Bournemouth at his uncle Harry Redknapp’s house breaking in a pair of moulds. Lampard has always been immersed in the game, from joining Heath Park boys’ club and fulfilling his dream of pulling on a West Ham shirt to cementing his place as one of England’s greatest midfielders across 13 years and countless trophies at Chelsea. Those days have gone – Coventry represents his fourth club as a manager – but the 47-year-old still believes in being in the thick of things. Continue reading...

Attacking pair back for games against Serbia and Albania Bournemouth’s Alex Scott called up for first time Thomas Tuchel has recalled Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden for England’s World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania. The attacking duo were left out of last month’s squad but have been handed opportunities to work their way back into Tuchel’s plans. The situation with Real Madrid’s Bellingham has dominated the buildup to Friday’s announcement and there has also been intrigue around Foden, who has struggled with form and fitness since Euro 2024. But Foden excelled during Manchester City’s 4-1 win over Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday and has done enough to earn his first call-up since March. Continue reading...