Leeds United and Coventry City boss Frank Lampard have their own sort of rivalry, and not just a club-to-club type of feud.
The only club Frank Lampard has managed more games against is Man United, having played the Red Devils 10 times and Leeds United have played him eight times.
Four wins and a draw is Leeds’ record, including when the Whites beat Coventry City 2-0 away last season, having thrashed Mark Robins 3-0 in the clash at Elland Road this time last year.
But the England and Chelsea legend was in charge of the second fixture, which is why Leeds fans wound up Lampard at the CBS Arena that day. It was the second game of a five-game winning run for Leeds back in February.
Coventry City boss Frank Lampard praises Leeds United
There really is no love lost between the two, especially as Leeds’ social media team also teased Lampard after the 2-0 win. For the most part, the duo seem to play up to the rivalry.
Lampard did not want to discuss the Leeds gestures but his team were thoroughly well-beaten, with Leeds posting their second-highest xG figure of the 2024/25 season that day (FBref). Only the 7-0 win over Cardiff City was higher.
In fact, Lampard praised Leeds after Coventry 0-2 Leeds. That was a rarity and he has since been at it again when reflecting on that day and Leeds’ performance levels as a whole.
Via TalkSPORT, Lampard said: “I think it was really clear to me last year when Leeds and Burnley were probably the two outstanding teams in the league.
“And they, obviously, had a lot of sort of Premier League minutes in their teams already. But their levels of output were bigger than the others and I think that was our challenge this year.
“Can we get fit pre-season so that we can try and reach those sort of levels ourselves? And yeah, the lads have been great.”
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  CoventryCoventry | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 27 | 7 | 20 | 19 |
| 2 |  MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 18 |
| 3 |  LeicesterLeicester | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 16 |
| 4 |  PrestonPreston | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 16 |
| 5 |  Stoke CityStoke City | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 15 |
| 6 |  QPRQPR | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 13 | 14 | -1 | 15 |
Coventry are unbeaten and top of the Championship heading into the international break. They have also scored the most goals in English football’s top four tiers as well.
Leeds’ interest in Jack Rudoni, who idolises Frank Lampard
They have been without him recently but Jack Rudoni was linked with a move to Leeds during the summer transfer window. Leeds fans want to take Rudoni from Lampard’s Coventry to get one over on the Cov manager.
Lampard’s fingerprints are all over Rudoni, with the midfielder able to operate as a box-to-box midfielder or No.10. They were the two positions Lampard featured in most as a player. He has 12 goals and 14 assists in 59 games, with most coming under Lampard.
Per Coventry Live in April, Rudoni said: “I grew up supporting Chelsea so I was basically watching them every week. As a midfielder, he was probably my favourite player as I was growing up.
“I am from down south and I used to go to the games, so to work with him is amazing for me. He was an amazing player and is a great guy who has been helping me ever since he got here, and I think you can see that from the stuff I have produced.
“And the goals and assists I have got. He’s got me scoring more and it’s a pleasure to work with him, and I just want to better myself. Obviously the gaffer was a top, top player, so there’s no-one better to ask.
“And I am always wanting to know how to do stuff better. They have been brilliant with me and the team, and really clear what they are asking us to do every game.”
A new contract is possible for Leeds target Rudoni but he and Cov could yet replicate what Daniel Farke and co. did in winning the title this season.
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