Frank Lampard admits the magnitude of Coventry City's remarkable Championship title triumph and their long-awaited Premier League return has finally hit home.
The Sky Blues ended a 25-year exile from the top flight on April 17, sealing promotion with a draw at Blackburn before clinching the Championship crown in emphatic style—a 5-1 demolition of Portsmouth just four days later. It's been a season for the ages in the West Midlands.
Sunday's victory over Wrexham at the CBS Arena gave the Coventry faithful another chance to soak in the celebrations, and Lampard says the achievement now feels real.
"We've been fortunate to have a few occasions to celebrate—away from home, at home twice—but it really sunk in at the weekend," Lampard told BBC CWR. "It was a fantastic opportunity for the fans to purely enjoy it, and I think they loved the performance."
The former Chelsea and England midfielder, who took charge of the Sky Blues at the start of the season, reflected on the journey from preseason hopes to lifting silverware. "The realisation kicks in—it's quite surreal when you do something like this. Given our club's history and where we thought we might be at the start of the season, what the boys have produced is extraordinary. But now it's a reality."
Coventry travel to Watford on the final day, aiming for a 28th league win—their 11th in the last 15 games. A clean sheet would also secure the Golden Glove award outright for on-loan goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, who currently shares the honor with Ipswich's Christian Walton on 15 shutouts.
Lampard heaped praise on the Brighton loanee, whose consistency has been a cornerstone of Coventry's success. "He's been outstanding—bringing consistency, calmness, and a top-level quality. He trains like a Premier League player, acts like one, and has brought a real professional edge to the club. I hope he wins that clean sheet award outright because he deserves it."
As Coventry prepare to step onto the Premier League stage next season, the celebrations may be winding down, but the legacy of this historic campaign is just beginning.