FORMER Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given has backed Frank Lampard to achieve promotion with Coventry City this season.
Given worked as a goalkeeper coach under Lampard when the latter was in charge of Derby County during the 2018/19 season.
The goalkeeper made more than 450 appearances in the Premier League for the likes of Newcastle United and Manchester City.
And Given heaped praise on Lampard for the job he has done since taking charge of the Sky Blues last November.
Speaking to 10bet, Given said: “It’s a very special job. I mean, they had a poor result against Wrexham which will be frustrating for Frank, because I think they were unbeaten all season.
“Absolutely flying. Scoring the most of any side in Europe, or something like that.
“Lampard has still done brilliantly, and I see he’s been linked with a few jobs because he is just doing so well with Coventry.
“I know Frank knows the Championship really well, from his time at Derby. He knows a week or two is all it takes to change things dramatically, for good or bad, in the Championship.
“If you’re struggling to get into the play-offs or struggling to get away from relegation, you can turn it around within two weeks.
“You play six games or something mad in the Championship and things turn quickly.
“I’m not being negative, but Frank will know that in this league it all changes quickly and they need to stay focused.
“He knows the league well and the players are all playing for him, so he would love to obviously win promotion and get Coventry back in the Premier League.”
The 49-year-old finished his playing career at Stoke City – now managed by former Coventry boss Mark Robins.
And Given would like to see the Potters back in the Premier League under the management of Robins.
Given added: “like him. He’s got a huge pedigree in the Championship.
“I know Jon Walters relatively well at Stoke as well, the director of football there.
“He’s had a couple of different appointments before Robins has come in.
“Now it feels that Stoke, with the ownership model and the sort of finances they have behind them, you would think they should be back in the Premier League.
“I was there for a few years, and we were stable in the Premier League, so it just shows you when you drop out of the Premier League, how difficult it is to get back up.
“The Championship is unforgiving. But again, Mark Robins, I think he feels that he knows his way around the league really well.
“And Johnny Walters feels like he’s got this appointment bang on. I’d like to see Stoke back up in the Premier League.”
