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Steve McClaren replacement announced

7 years ago
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Always good to see that there are clubs which are equally as bizarre as Newcastle United and the Derby County dealings with Steve McClaren, certainly live up to that billing.

Sacked in 2015 for failing at Derby County, Mike Ashley saw another ideal candidate to follow on from Pardew and Carver.

Somebody who would (unsurprisingly!) be more than happy to take the Newcastle job despite there being no sensible reasoning as to why he should get it, purely because he was willing to take it on the understanding that he would have no say on transfers and would allow himself to be used to put out ridiculous communications (including emails) to the fans.

Mike Ashley then waited until March 2016 to sack Steve McClaren, all but ensuring Newcastle’s relegation as it only gave Rafa Benitez 10 games to play with.

Only then for the oddest thing of all to happen, when in October 2016, only five months ago, he was given the Derby job once again! This being only 17 months since his sacking for not being good enough.

And they say fans have short memories…

Derby had claimed on Sunday that they would now start to look for a replacement but nobody believed that they didn’t have somebody already lined up.

Sure enough, Gary Rowett has now been appointed as the Steve McClaren replacement.

Linked with numerous jobs since his equally bizarre sacking at Birmingham City, when he appeared to do an excellent job on limited resources, it will be interesting to see how he gets on with a squad at Derby that have one of the biggest wage bills in the Championship.

Official derby County Statement:

‘Derby County is delighted to announce the appointment of Gary Rowett as their new manager.

Rowett has signed a contract until the end of the 2018/19 season and will take up his position with the Rams with immediate effect.

He will take charge of his new side for the first time on Saturday (18th March, 1pm) when Derby make the short journey across the East Midlands to take on Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

Rowett has also moved to bring his trusted backroom team to Pride Park Stadium by appointing Kevin Summerfield as Assistant Manager, Mark Sale as First Team Coach, Kevin Poole as Goalkeeping Coach and Joe Carnall as Head of Performance Analysis.

First Team Coach Kevin Phillips will remain part of the coaching team while Goalkeeping Coach Pascal Zuberbuhler has departed with the club’s best wishes for the future.

Rowett, 43, has built an excellent reputation in recent years following impressive spells in charge of Burton Albion and Birmingham City.

He is no stranger to supporters after making 120 appearances for the club between 1995 and 1998, during which time he contributed to the Rams’ promotion to the top flight in 1995/96.

Derby County Chairman Mel Morris said: “We are delighted to welcome Gary Rowett back to Derby County as our new manager.

“Gary is being tasked with, and has the full responsibility for, leading our redevelopment programme. Gary, of course, played for us for three years during his playing career, lives in Derby and is passionate about our football club.

“He is an exemplar of the qualities and values we want in our team and has clearly demonstrated his abilities to get that from his players too.

“I am sure that all of our supporters, staff and players extend their unequivocal support and best wishes to Gary and his staff.”

Reacting to his appointment, Rowett said: “I’m naturally thrilled to be appointed as the manager of Derby County and can’t wait to get started.

“I feel that I have a special bond with the club having been here as a player. During that time, we tasted success when we were promoted to the Premier League and moved to Pride Park Stadium under Jim Smith.

“Living in the local area, I understand the expectation of the fanbase and it goes without saying that Derby County has fantastic and committed supporters.

“I have coached in the Academy in the past so I know the values of the club and I am looking forward to sharing my experience and knowledge of the league with the staff and players.

“I am fully aware of the playing squad here and I am looking forward to working with them all first hand.”

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