Coventry boss Lampard has revealed that he consulted with Mourinho about a player this summer whose identity he kept private.

Lampard is currently preparing Coventry for a return to the Premier League, after a 25-year absence from the top flight.

Lampard's former England teammate Darren Bent jokingly asked him in an exclusive interview whether he could call on Mourinho's help this summer to bring in some unwanted stars from Real Madrid, such as Kylian Mbappe or Rodrygo.

"Yeah, I think Dougie would fancy wages like that, maybe three or four times what we're on now!" Lampard replied.

"Mourinho is always there. I've messaged him privately recently about another player — not a Real Madrid player — but a player he's managed before, and he's always willing to pick up the phone."

"Sometimes it takes him a few days to get back to me. I know he's busy, but then he gives us very, very detailed analysis on the player we've discussed."

"The relationship we have with him will always be there now — the Chelsea people, Mourinho, and that small circle you see in the documentary — that bond will last forever."

Lampard acknowledges that Mourinho's influence on his managerial career is undeniable, but for him personally, the way he's been influenced is somewhat different.

When asked what he's learned from Mourinho and other great managers since he first took over at Derby County in 2018, Lampard said: "A lot."

"I watched that documentary, and the memories are very good, especially the first episode, because it's the complete Chelsea story, and it reminded me of so many great things."

"I've long known that I like Mourinho, but it's been very enjoyable to see it played back."

"I've worked with many great coaches. At that time, he was the one who had the most influence on my managerial career, because he gave me confidence."

"I think many coaches try to imitate Mourinho to a certain extent, but I won't and can't, because I don't have his characteristics. I have my own characteristics."

"So I'll take some of his words and his personal influence on me, and then try to approach players in my own way and communicate with them better. I'll try my best to do it my own way."

"I want to stay close to the players so they feel that I'm also a coach on the pitch, but if they have problems off the pitch... because I think that's how Mourinho treated me back then."

"I've been a head coach in my own way. It's been 8 years now, and it's gone so fast, but what I've probably learned most is how to find my own mental balance, because you can't win every game."

"You'll be tested in these areas, and you can't strive for perfection every day. You have to find balance on and off the pitch, and prioritize what really matters."

"Hopefully, in these 18 months at Coventry, I've been able to show that I've made some progress in this area."

"And once I found this balance, my life actually became easier, because you have time to rest. This job is stressful and draining, but when you're in it, you have to understand that that's just how it is."

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