Sir Alex Ferguson sends message of congratulations to Frank Lampard, praising his work in guiding Coventry City into the Premier League. “Your personality as a manager and a leader is so clearly defined in how your team has played great football this season, with confidence and self-belief, and I’ve enjoyed watching them,” Ferguson said via @[email protected].

Lampard was awarded the Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy for LMA Manager of the Year voted by managers and based on the resources the individual manager has available to them. Ferguson added, “I know from speaking with you that you have great humility and, that important quality of a curious mind for learning.”

Following a glittering playing career (3xPL, 1xUCL, 1xEL, 4xFA, FOTY, 106 caps) Lampard could easily have simply gone into punditry. He's eloquent, insightful and brings authority to any discussion about elite football, club or international. But he loves the time on the training field, the contact with players, the challenge of building a team.

The competitive juices have flowed ever since he was doubted as a kid breaking through at West Ham. There's still a sense with Lampard that he is driven by proving people wrong. And proving himself right. And driven by a passion for the game and for winning.

Lampard has experienced a mixed time in management (at Derby, Chelsea twice and Everton), some of it very good, some less so, but his persistence (278 games and counting) and now lauded work at Coventry highlights his maturing into a manager of genuine substance at 47.

At a time when Dan Ashworth and Kevin Thelwell at the FA are focusing on developing more home-grown coaches, Lampard's prominence is even more significant. Thomas Tuchel's successor? #LMAawards #PUSB

My friend’s dad has been diagnosed with glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive form of brain cancer. After life-saving surgery and exhausting nearly all their savings, the family are now trying to fund specialist immunotherapy treatment in Germany that could give him more time.

To raise money, as lifelong Coventry City fans they’re taking on challenges inspired by Coventry City’s return to the Premier League.

Every donation or repost could make a big difference.

Please take a moment to have a look at the page and support if you can:
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/skybluemilesfordad

#SkyBlueMilesForDad #CoventryCity #PUSB