FRANK Lampard insists achieving play-off success with Coventry City would match any of his career accomplishments.
Lampard turned Coventry’s season around following his appointment as Sky Blues boss in November.
City rose from 17th in the table to fifth and a place in the play-offs following a 2-0 win against Middlesbrough on the final day of the season.
Coventry leapfrogged Bristol City in the table to set up a play-off tie with Sunderland after the Robins could only draw with relegation-threatened Preston North End.
The game against Boro took place in front of a Coventry Building Society Arena league record attendance with 31,452 supporters watching on,
Sky Blues head coach Lampard won three Premier League titles, the Champions League, four FA Cup’s and the Europa League during a decorated career as a player.
And he insists play-off success with Coventry would be ‘right up there’ with anything he’s achieved as a player or manager.
Lampard said: “It’s fantastic to make the play-offs, there’s work to do now but from where we were as a club, it tops off what’s been a really good period for us.
“There was big pressure on the team and the players really delivered, I always respected Coventry because of the history and tradition of the club.
“I remember watching the FA Cup final in 1987 but I didn’t realise the sound the fan base makes, if I can play a small part in it I’m pleased.
“We’re not there yet but to go from 17th to fifth it needs everybody together, it’s a big deal, togetherness is absolutely huge always.
“I love the Championship, it’s a real challenge as a coach, the play-offs is certainly success for us at this point, the play-offs are right up there with anything I’ve achieved in my playing or managerial career.”
The Sky Blues went into the final day of the season inside the play-off places on goal difference while opponents Boro knew only a win would keep their top-six hopes alive.
Coventry broke the deadlock one minute before the interval as Jack Rudoni headed Tatsuhiro Sakamoto’s cross from the right into the bottom left corner to put the Sky Blues ahead at the break.
And Rudoni made sure of City’s place in the play-offs when he finished from six-yards out on 87 minutes after substitute Brandon Thomas-Asante held off Dael Fry before bursting through and selflessly squaring the ball to the midfielder.
