Frank Lampard believes his Coventry side’s extra-time loss was one of the cruellest moments of his career after his side missed out on a place in the play-off final.
Coventry lost out on a trip to Wembley after Dan Ballard scored a 122nd-minute header to send the Sky Blues back to the Midlands with nothing to show for an impressive season.
Ballard’s header made it 1-1 on the night, but 3-2 on aggregate to send the Black Cats through to face Sheffield United for a place in the Premier League.
When asked about how cruel football can be, the former Chelsea midfielder told Sky Sports: "Yeah, that's the biggest example I think I've probably been involved in.
Frank Lampard had to console his players after their play-off loss
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"Firstly, congratulations to Sunderland, they go to the final. But, I've got immense pride in my players, over the two games, we dominated at home and dominated huge periods of this game.
“Where we've come from, 17th in the league in December, the players have been brilliant in the second half of the season. We're competing with the parachute teams in terms of where we finish.”
The Sky Blues have been under Lampard’s leadership since the end of November last year, and he has spearheaded their leap forward to the play-offs, a fact the ex-England midfielder is very proud of.
"We came here with absolute bravery to play the way we play. They had to concede to us because of the way we played, the way the lads controlled the game," he added.
"They don't deserve it, the players. I'm a lot older, I've been around a lot, so I've taken whacks and I've had success.
"I suppose I can be maybe a tiny bit more balanced in my job, but for those players, they don't deserve that. So, congratulations to Sunderland. We're not bitter, but we were the better team over the two football matches. Absolutely clear. That's why they'll be so happy that they won that game. They're going to Wembley, but in a football sense massive pride.
"I can't ask for any more. I'm so disappointed for the club, for the fans, the owner and the players. Once the dust settles, I cannot be disappointed with the way they play.
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Frank Lampard was proud of his team despite the loss
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"You work every day with them and they take on information and they're together in the group even at the end on the pitch. So, you know, football.
"I didn't have to say much to them because the players were doing it. They owned it on the pitch. They owned it up until extra-time.
"They owned it the second half. It was like the crowd was dead quiet. They understood that a team was coming and taking control on their home place.
"It's cruel. But I can't think of anything but pride for the season and for tonight.
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"We wanted to go to Wembley. But sometimes the gods conspire against you in certain ways.
"We want the squad to get stronger. The players have shown what they can do, that they can compete. The fans deserve it at this football club.
Regis Le Bris' side will head to Wembley to play for a shot in the Premier League
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"I think that they'll be going home tonight proud of their players, their support. And, yeah, I'm just disappointed for them that they don't get a trip to Wembley."
Sunderland will take on Sheffield United at Wembley for a place in the Premier League in the Championship Play-Off Final on Saturday, May 24.
