It is no secret that former great footballers do not necessarily enjoy the same success in their role as managers or coaches. The most recent example has been Wayne Rooney, who has discovered being a gaffer can be a very demanding job.
Another gifted player, Frank Lampard, has experienced struggles in a managerial role. But since moving to Championship club Coventry last season fortunes appear to have changed for the better for the former Chelsea star.
After not making a great impression in charge of Derby, Chelsea and Everton, the former England midfielder seems to have found his niche at the Championship club.
When Lampard took over the Sky Blues last season the club were 17th in the table just two points above the relegation zone. But a run of nine wins in 10 games saw them reach the playoffs where they eventually succumbed to Luton at Wembley in a penalty shootout.
This season life has got even better for Lampard with his club sitting unbeaten at the top of the Championship table after five wins and four draws.
They've also been banging in the goals having scored 27 in their nine games, far more than any of their rivals. Their latest victims were troubled Sheffield Wednesday who they overwhelmed 5-0 at Hillsborough last weekend. A few days earlier they hammered Millwall away 4-0.
Spearheading the scoring for Coventry has been US international Haji Wright, who has already netted nine times.
Lampard is understandably delighted at his team's performance but is not getting carried away. "We've had a good start," he said last week. "It's important to keep our feet on the ground, enjoy the moment and continue with this form."
The fans are happy too. One supporter commented, "When Lampard was appointed, we all had a little smile thinking it would all end in tears. Well done Frank. Exciting time to be a City fan."
When Coventry were relegated from the Premier League in 2001, it ended a 34-season stay in the top flight. During that time they collected only one major trophy, upsetting Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 in the 1987 FA Cup final.
After relegation, major financial problems were compounded by complex issues concerning their stadium. For several seasons "home" games were played at Northampton Town and Birmingham City. It was a real test of loyalty for their fans. By 2017 they had slumped into League Two.
Despite these major setbacks they have since managed to progress, winning promotion from League Two in 2018 and then League One in 2020 to reach the Championship. The situation behind the scenes also improved with the Sisu group selling out to local businessman Doug King.
It would be huge for Lampard if he could return to the Premier League with Coventry and might shake off the hurt of being fired by Chelsea, a team with which he had been so successful as a player.
Although his Chelsea sacking was half-expected, it still seemed premature and a classic example of the prevailing ruthlessness in this results-oriented business. Gary Lineker called the sacking "utterly ridiculous."
After his ouster a rather poignant "In Frank We Trust" poster remained in the Stamford Bridge stands for a few days as a pertinent reminder of how quickly things can change.
With just nine matches played there is still a long way to go for Lampard to achieve his goal. His immediate task will be to focus on next week's home game against Blackburn Rovers.