Coventry chief vows to stand by Frank Lampard even if Premier League gets tough

Coventry owner Doug King says he will stick by Frank Lampard even if the newly-promoted club endure a disastrous start to the season.

Reality is setting in for the Sky Blues following Friday’s Premier League fixture announcement.

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Last season’s Championship winners face a daunting trip to the Emirates on the opening day of the season to face Premier League champions Arsenal.

Next up sees Hull City visit the CBS Arena before fixtures with Manchester City, Brighton and Nottingham Forest.

The games come thick and fast for the Midlands club who are set for their first top-flight campaign since 2001.

For some managers, promotion does not necessarily guarantee job security when faced with the rigours of the Premier League.

However, it appears that Lampard will be given the opportunity to fulfil his role in the Premier League even if his side encounter an early-season slump.

Lampard to receive full backing

Asked whether Lampard would be at risk of the axe in the event of a poor start to the season, King told talkSPORT: “I’ve always been much more about process and how and what we’re doing.

“If that all sticks and we get some tough runs, I’m very calm with that.

“It’s when the process breaks down and things get a little out of control and then you have to try and change those things.

“We’ve worked together for 18 months, we know how each other works. We have a good direct relationship, we can challenge whatever we want to challenge and I’m fully behind him to go all the way.

“We’ll take what comes and he’s got all the tools to react and to drive us and hopefully have a successful first season.”

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Lampard’s work at Coventry has not gone unnoticed.

The Chelsea legend was linked with the vacant managerial positions at Crystal Palace and Fulham, something King remains relaxed about.

“We’ve had a great 18 months with Frank,” he said. “Obviously, people have taken notice of what he’s done and how he’s led us to be champions.

“We know how it works in football, everybody’s got an opinion and everybody seems to want to do different things.

“I think that we have a good thing here and he’s earned the right to get us into the Premier League for the first time and that’s what we wanted to do.”

‘Mouthwatering’ fixture to open the season

On his side’s trip to the Emirates on the opening night of the new season, King admits he is excited at what the fixture computer has conjured up.

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“We haven’t been here for 25 years so anything would have done for us, but what a start,” King said.

“We’re at the champions, I love that!

“The champions against the champions and we’ll kick it off and be glad to do so.

“We have to go into every game next year believing we have a chance, we know how difficult they are we know how good they are.

“It’s a daunting prospect but a mouthwatering one, that’s how we’re looking at it.”