Coventry City is focused on retaining manager Frank Lampard after securing promotion to the Premier League. This marks the club's return to the top flight for the first time since 2001.
Key points
Coventry City secured promotion to the Premier League.
Frank Lampard is the current manager of Coventry City.
This is Coventry's first return to the top flight since 2001.
Sam Parkin provides insights on EFL teams and management.
Mentioned in this story
Frank Lampard
Sam ParkinCoventry City
With promotion and relegation being settled for some clubs this weekend, former Swindon, Ipswich and Luton striker and BBC Final Score pundit Sam Parkin gives his takeaways from across the EFL.
Hanging on to Lampard will be the biggest thing for Coventry
Frank Lampard raises his right fist in the air to celebrate winning promotion back to the Premier League with Coventry City after 25 years.Image source, Shutterstock
Image caption,
Frank Lampard has taken Coventry City to the top flight for the first time since 2001
Frank Lampard has guided Coventry City back to the Premier League after a 25-year absence, but could the Sky Blues face a fight to keep him?
Parkin: "They'll have to make a number of signings, that's the downside. Sunderland are a good example of that and it's kind of 'thank you and good luck' for some of them.
"The biggest thing will be Frank Lampard still being there and I think the way Doug King has spoken about him, I think there will be interest in him.
"He's such a determined individual when he was a player and now as a manager, because he's had a couple of knocks along the way, so I think there will be interest in him.
"The most important thing is that he's there next season, and his staff that he brought with him. It was a bit of a gamble for him and Coventry, but it's paid off massively.
"It's difficult to predict how they will do. They don't have that kind of really robust style that maybe Luton came up with a couple of seasons ago and upset a few people.
"They play good football, so they'll probably be quite open. Whether Frank changes that to be a bit more defensively-minded and pragmatic next season, we'll have to wait and see."
Southampton can gatecrash the feisty fight for second
Ipswich host Middlesbrough on Sunday as the fight for the second automatic promotion place hots up. Southampton are also very much in contention with Millwall.
Parkin: "If Middlesbrough were to win at Ipswich then all of a sudden, you'll have four clubs battling for that second position, when for so long it looked like it would be Coventry and Middlesbrough fighting for the top two.
Q&A
Why is retaining Frank Lampard important for Coventry City?
Retaining Frank Lampard is crucial for Coventry City as he has successfully led the team to the Premier League, marking a significant achievement for the club.
When did Coventry City last play in the Premier League?
Coventry City last played in the Premier League in 2001 before their recent promotion.
What are the implications of Coventry City's promotion to the Premier League?
Coventry City's promotion to the Premier League brings increased visibility, potential revenue growth, and the challenge of competing at a higher level.
Who is Sam Parkin and what are his insights on Coventry City?
Sam Parkin is a former professional footballer and BBC pundit who provides analysis on EFL teams, including insights on Coventry City's management and performance.
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"Ipswich have obviously timed their run to perfection across the last three months or so. The strength of their squad, the home form in particular, just their quality that everyone knew they had that maybe wasn't apparent for the first half of the season. So they've really put their foot on the gas.
"Millwall are the surprise, although you can't call them that now because they've been up there for so long and had a comfortable win over QPR.
"Then there are Southampton, the latecomers to the party. They're on an unprecedented run of form and that's a massive credit to their manager.
"I think Tonda Eckert is really adaptable. He's very flexible in the way he sets Southampton up. We knew they had good players, but he's come up with game plans to get consistent results.
"They've won eight games on the spin. Can they win 10 on the bounce? I haven't got the record books in front of me, but I'd be surprised if that's happened too much in their history and that's the challenge they face."
Portsmouth look safe after an 'incredible week'
Ibane Bowatt prepares to punch his right arm in the air in celebration at scoring Portsmouth's winner in their huge relegation clash with Leicester City.Image source, Shutterstock
Image caption,
Portsmouth all but sent Leicester down to League One with victory over the Foxes
Portsmouth have surged seven points clear of the relegation zone after beating Middlesbrough, Ipswich and Leicester in one remarkable week.
Parkin: "I didn't see it coming. In all honesty, if they did stay up, I thought it would be courtesy of the odd point, maybe it would go right to the end.
"Now it looks like it will be quite comfortable. They've had an incredible week, beating Middlesbrough last Saturday, beating Ipswich on Tuesday and now Leicester in a real relegation six pointer.
"They've had to cope with injuries too and Josh Murphy was on the bench today for the first time in an eternity.
"Conor Shaughnessy, a massive player for them, is having to be managed and even today, they lost Keshi Anderson and Terry Devlin early on in the game.
"It wasn't as good a performance as Ipswich, but the result is as big, if not bigger because of Leicester's position.
"The flip side is Leicester are very, very close to being confirmed in League One, a decade after they were Premier League champions. Imagine how their fans are feeling?"
Barry-Murphy puts stamp on Cardiff's success
Cardiff City manager Brian Barry-Murphy punches the air in delight as he celebrates leading the Bluebirds back to the Championship.Image source, Shutterstock
Image caption,
Brian Barry-Murphy has won promotion in his first season as Cardiff boss
Brian Barry-Murphy has led Cardiff City back to the Championship after just one season in League One.
Parkin: "Brian Barry-Murphy has done brilliantly and it's a big job. Not only because he would have been expected to challenge because of the resources and the size of the club, but he's changed totally how they play.
"I think for a number of years, Cardiff have probably been quite agricultural, quite back to front in the way they've played. They had great success playing that way, going back to Neil Warnock.
"But since then, there's not been any kind of consistency in terms of results or performances, so it was always going to be a big job trying to change the culture.
"He'd worked at Rochdale and then at Manchester City with the younger age groups and he was only going to play one way, playing passing football. So to do that at Cardiff, he deserves enormous credit.
"Lincoln play completely differently and they are two completely different sides in terms of the way they set up. They've gone at it all season and it will be great to see both of them in the Championship next season."
Bromley can claim a few scalps next year in League One
Michael Cheek celebrates scoring one of his 16 goals for Bromley to help earn them promotion to League One. Image source, Shutterstock
Image caption,
Michael Cheek has been key to Bromley's promotion, top scoring with 16 goals
Notts County's defeat by Barnet means Bromley were promoted to League One for the first time in their history, just two years after they came up into the EFL.
Parkin: "They surprised a few last year and I think they only missed out on the play-offs by four points.
"Andy Woodman said the ambition was to go again this season and to try and get in those play-offs so to get automatic promotion with two games to spare, is an incredible story.
"They're so difficult to play against. They have an incredible unbeaten record at home and have arguably the best goalscorer in the league in Michael Cheek.
"They've had to do without him in the last few weeks and they've had a very able deputy in Nicke Kabamba, who has a good return of goals as well.
"I'm not sure what the ambition will be in League One, but I think they have that kind of underdog spirit that could be problematic for teams they come up against next year because they won't respect the opposition. They'll go and play their game and I wouldn't be surprised if they take a few scalps next season."
Sam Parkin was speaking to BBC Sport England's David Anderson
