The Coventry boss has praised the club's fanbase for the role they have played in the team's recent successes and insisted their backing has acted like having a 12th man on the pitch.

Having guided Coventry back to the top flight after a 25-year absence, Lampard has seen a special relationship forged between the players and supporters during his time at the club.

"The connection between players and fans is a huge thing," he said. “It's a two-way thing, with the players performing with passion and energy. Once that engages the fans and we have their backing, it can really heighten [the team’s] performance and make [the Coventry Building Society Arena] a very difficult place for opposition teams to come.

"Also, in certain tough moments, when the fans are behind the players, they can lift them and help them find renewed confidence. We've got an incredible fanbase and it's one of the biggest strengths of the football club.

“I'm certainly very appreciative of the support they've given me, and I try to keep working as hard as I can to keep getting it and paying my bit back.”

Coventry's return to the Premier League was confirmed following a 1-1 draw away at Blackburn Rovers in April, ending a journey that had lasted a quarter of a century and had seen the club drop to League Two in 2017, before winning three promotions in nine years.

And for Lampard, what Coventry achieved in Lancashire seven months ago carried extra significance because of the struggles the club and its supporters had endured before his arrival.

"I saw the Coventry story from the outside, and it was obviously a difficult story in football,” he continued. “A top-tier club that was going through so many challenges.

"They have a certain robustness and resilience because of what they've been through, which is relatively unique. It's added to the story. It's brought not just a football club, but a city together.

"We really felt that in the celebrations at the end of last season. It shows you the power of football.”

Lampard also acknowledged the bond between players and fans has been strengthened by the genuine commitment to the club shown on the pitch.

"I must give credit to the players too,” he said. “When fans see players who give everything for the club and buy into the connection and what the club is, and show that they're not just passing through and they're actually loving being at Coventry, that starts the connection.”

"It's something that's been very, very good for us over the last two years. It's going to be tested more this season in the Premier League. But that connection can be a real strength of ours that will help us try to succeed in whatever way we can."

Lampard was speaking during filming to promote Coventry Building Society’s Sky Blue Line – a telephone that functions as a direct contact between friends, family and fans to help motivate and support Lampard and his players.

“When you hear personal messages, you realise how far football can reach beyond the pitch,” he added. “It is people's lives. It hits even harder, in a good way. They're a good reminder of why you do the job."

Coventry Building Society is the Official Training Partner of Coventry City