Frank Lampard: Mourinho Had the 'Biggest Impact' on My Managerial Career

Mourinho gave me confidence, says Lampard 

The 47-year-old says Mourinho gave him the belief to succeed as he prepares for his first Premier League campaign as Coventry manager in 25 years.

Lampard praised Mourinho’s influence in a new interview with The Times after leading Coventry to the Championship title by 11 points...

Frank Lampard has credited Jose Mourinho as the coach who shaped him the most during his time in management so far.

The former Chelsea midfielder recently made his return to the Premier League with Coventry City after leading them to the Championship title.

Since taking charge of Coventry in November 2024 when they sat 17th, the 47-year-old has overseen a remarkable turnaround.

After falling to Sunderland in last season’s play-off semi-finals, the Sky Blues responded emphatically, clinching the Championship title by 11 points.

Now back in the Premier League for the first time in 25 years, Lampard has been reflecting on his managerial journey in a recent interview with The Times.

He said Mourinho stood out as the biggest influence, crediting him with giving Lampard greater self-confidence and a stronger belief in his own abilities.

“And there’s a Jose Mourinho character,” Lampard said. “The biggest impact I remember of Jose was how much self-confidence he gave me, via his own self-confidence. I remember that transmitting.

“I was slightly humble and he went, ‘You’ve got to take it, you’ve got to be more.’ He was also very driven about being a winner: ‘We do not lose, this is what we do.’ So I take a bit of that, but I definitely cannot become Jose and I can’t become Carlo, because it’s just not me.”

He knows exactly what he needs. 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/bRzb5zcDGy

— Coventry City (@Coventry_City) April 21, 2026

Lampard played 215 games under Mourinho at Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea’s all-time leading scorer says he picked up lessons from the Portuguese manager that have stuck with him throughout his own coaching career.