This time tomorrow I will be boarding my flight to Moscow to watch England play in their first World Cup semi final in 28 years. What a buzz that is. Still can't quite believe it.
Sir Alex Ferguson sends message of congratulations to Frank Lampard, praising his work in guiding Coventry City into the Premier League. โYour 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 Iโve enjoyed watching them,โ Ferguson said via @LMA_Managers.
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, โI know from speaking with you that you have great humility and, that important quality of a curious mind for learning.โ
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
Most the people bitching about the squad are the same ones that hounded Southgate out, never happy.
I would love Foden, Palmer, Trent to be in there but their form for both club and country has been way off for a long time.
Weโll still be going as one of the favourites! ๐๐ช๐ช
I think that might have ended up being my favourite away day of the season. The goals, the songs, just an absolute pleasure to be there. What a season ๐ฉต #PUSB
@SimonLSport Agree with the shortlist and was Rushworth all the way until recently but gone with Grimes. So many minutes played, so consistent and took us to a new level.