Coventry City: Frank Lampard issues fresh Leeds United/Derby County "Spygate" verdict | OneFootball

Lampard reflects on controversial clash as Coventry prepare for semi-final second leg

Frank Lampard has revisited the infamous "Spygate" incident involving Leeds United and Derby County in 2019, as his current side Coventry City face their own daunting second-leg comeback mission in the Championship play-offs.

Speaking ahead of Coventry's trip to Sunderland on Tuesday, Lampard drew parallels between his Derby side’s stunning Elland Road turnaround and the task now facing the Sky Blues after a narrow 2-1 defeat in the first leg.

“Spygate” remains one of the most controversial episodes in recent Championship history. In January 2019, then-Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa admitted to sending a member of staff to covertly observe Derby's training session ahead of a league fixture between the two sides.

Though Leeds went on to win that game 2-0, Bielsa’s actions sparked widespread debate across English football.

Frank Lampard: Leeds United v Derby County spygate lead to “one of my favourite games as a coach”

The EFL subsequently fined Leeds £200,000 and introduced a new rule preventing clubs from observing opponents' training without consent within 72 hours of a match.

Reflecting on Derby’s eventual revenge in the play-offs that season, Lampard said: “I guess looking back, it has got to be tactically one of my favourite games that I’ve coached even to this point because I was going up against Bielsa and a team that I felt were really, really strong. I don’t think they or anybody else really expected us to turn that game around.”

Derby, having lost the first leg 1-0 at Pride Park, produced a remarkable victory at Elland Road to win 4-3 on aggregate. It marked a defining moment for Lampard’s early managerial career.

“I really enjoyed that for what it meant for the club," Lampard added.

"It was one of the first main games for me as a coach where I thought: 'I've gone up against a really good coach, tweaked something and the lads did the rest."

Coventry City face uphill task at the Stadium of Light

Lampard’s Coventry City now find themselves in a similar position. After a spirited first-leg showing at the Coventry Building Society Arena, the Sky Blues trail Sunderland 2-1 heading into Tuesday’s decider at the Stadium of Light.

A late error from Milan van Ewijk allowed Eliezer Mayenda to score a dramatic 87th-minute winner for the Black Cats, who had lost five straight matches before the tie.

Despite the setback, Coventry’s first-half dominance and equaliser from Jack Rudoni offered hope. Lampard will be hoping for another inspired second-leg performance, reminiscent of that night in West Yorkshire six years ago.

Victory would see Coventry advance to a Wembley final, where they could face either Sheffield United or Bristol City, with the Blades leading their tie 3-0 on aggregate.