SKY BLUE THINKING

TV company earmarked Frank for a Gary Lineker-style role but Lampard proving he has much to offer as a boss

- BY ANDY DUNN

EVEN before he had finished playing, television companies had their eyes on Frank Lampard.

In particular, there were certain executives at Sky Sports who had a masterplan. The Premier League's main broadcasters since day one, Sky have always had a stellar roster of pundits - the best in the business.

But they have not had a Gary Lineker, a blue-chip footballing name who could actually carry a programme, not just appear on it.

Lineker was the face of BBC Sport. There would have been a lot of imponderables and hurdles to get over but there were some at the channel who envisaged Lampard as the face of Sky Sports.

And whenever Lampard has appeared as a pundit, he has come across very well, as you would expect.

But television has always been a way for Lampard to keep his footballing mind ticking over when between proper jobs.

If his fantastic start to the Championship with Coventry City this season does not convince you that Lampard is a very capable manager, it should at least remind you of his perseverance.