DCFC wasted no time in appointing Steve McClaren 'Head Coach' after the manager's role was taken from Nigel Clough on Saturday. McClaren's recent managerial record is patchy at best, but this move blunts much of the anger from fans as he has previously served Derby as both a player and coach. His history will help fans accept him and, at least for now, settle rumblings amongst supporters after a turbulent weekend.

McClaren has put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half year deal under the title of "Head Coach", instead of 'Manager'. We are told plans are also in place to appoint a Technical Director to work above him and below the board very soon.

Part of the new appointment finds two more former Rams in Paul Simpson and Eric Steele returning to the club as a first team coach and goalkeeping coach respectively.

It is a shrewd move by the club as despite the fact that many will think McClaren’s recent failures as a gaffer don’t make him an obvious choice, by bringing in three men who played for Derby and in McLaren’s case, was instrumental in Jim Smith’s promotion and subsequent top flight success, the frustrations of fans are unlikely to be levelled at the new management team.

The fact DCFC has also structured the role to suit McClaren's obvious strength as a Coach first and foremost, suggests that he will focus more on the team's match day tactics and training while a yet to be appointed 'Technical Director' will pull the strings in relation to transfers and other issues the club do not want McClaren, in a traditional 'manager's' role, to have sole control over.

Speaking to the media, McClaren was reserved but pushed his Rams heritage to no doubt smooth the rocky road he has arrived on… and frankly who could blame him.

“Ultimately we have to be challenging for the play-offs at least, that has to be the target. We’ve still got to assess what we have here. We know we’ve got some excellent players”.

"I've got a great history with this club as a player in the 80s and as assistant to Jim Smith in the 90s. It was a very successful period. I know the town very well, my family has been brought up here and there was no hesitation. I know what this club is all about. I know its fans, I know the fan base, I know what they want and I know how great this club can be if it's successful."

McClaren was originally first team coach for Derby under Jim Smith before being poached by Alex Ferguson to join Man U. At the time Derby were flying in the Premier League and some say we never recovered from his departure as the Rams eventually were relegated. In comparison McClaren assisted Sir Alex bring home a treble to Old Trafford.

Following his success as a coach, McLaren went on to manage Middlesbrough with moderate success in the League but did deliver a League Cup to the Boro in 2004. After initially assisting Sven-Göran Eriksson for England at international level, he was handed the top job before being sacked when he failed to qualify for Euro 2008.

McClaren went on to manage Dutch team FC Twente where he won a title and was named ‘manager of the year’. Following that success he managed Vfl Wolfsburg from whom he was eventually sacked.

A falling out in regards to available transfer funds and poor results at Nottingham Forest saw him resign after only 10 matches and a return to FC Twente proved less than glorious, when it ended in his resignation after poor results and fan dissatisfaction. Most recently he has been working as a coach at QPR with Jim Smith’s former managerial partner Harry Redknapp.

Many complained that Nigel Clough was appointed because of his last name and if you were a cynical man (which of course I never am); you might say that McLaren and his new team’s history with the Rams, may obscure the fact that he is not exactly coming to Derby as a form candidate who other clubs were lining up to appoint.

If this has been taken into account, then frankly it worked! I like most fans will not be hasty to criticise a man who was instrumental in the Rams greatest triumphs of the last 20 years. Despite my concerns I will give him every chance to prove me wrong. Even if it means our friends at Forest down the road are laughing even louder at us as this unfolds.

Maybe the decision to focus more on coaching will assist McClaren return his reputation to one of respect, rather than the recent ridicule he has endured. Much will depend of whom fills the 'Technical Director' role. That person will need to balance the needs of both Steve and the board perfectly to make the relationship work.

We have all seen similar scenarios self destruct at other clubs if the mix isn't just right and the last thing we need is a group of cooks all trying to run the kitchen while the club slowly burns in the background.

Hopefully the board back him, he can re-establish himself and restore much of his reputation that has been lost by recent failures and disagreements with employers.

Speaking of available cash, Sam Rush had washed the blood from his hands and was beaming as he unveiled Steve McClaren to the media:

“We are thrilled to announce Steve McLaren as our new head coach, as well as Paul Simpson and Eric Steele in their respective roles. When we announced the departure of Nigel Clough, it was stated that we were conducting a comprehensive review of the football structure and we believe this is a major step forward in that regard.”

“Steve is a highly-qualified coach with all the skill-sets required to be a success here at Pride Park.

This is a massive move for both Steve and the board as you get the impression it could be McClaren’s last chance at any significant level in England. In recent years he had been linked with smaller leagues the world over including clubs in Australia as he searched for employment.

If the board get this wrong, then the frustration felt on the weekend will re-emerge and perhaps boil over as patience has been given and now delivery has been promised.

If it is not delivered swiftly, as was the excuse for removing Clough, or more patience is called for, then perhaps it will be time for Rush and co. to move on.

Time will tell — it always does!

I am sure I speak for all at RamZone when I genuinely wish Steve, Paul and Eric the best of luck, with both the job and (in particular) the board.

I hope you get the financial support that Nigel never received (though that would really annoy me… and even more so Nigel) and in turn you can bring back the success you were part of under the Bald Eagle in the nineties.

Interesting times at Derby…. but when are they not?

Just in case you missed it - embedded below is the press conference held this morning to officially announce McClaren, Simpson & Steele who will take the helm from Saturday when Dirty Leeds visit Pride Park.

Photo: Action Images

WanChopeTwoChop added 02:12 - Oct 1 Is it just me or does the sight of Sam Rush now make your skin crawl? His interview above is more than a bit insulting continually harping about how this new team understand Derb's history and how important that is. The veiled digs are pathetic and its great he now respects DCFC history.... shortly after coldly executing the son of a man that we have a statue of at the front of Pride Park. I wish Steve all the best but Rush has lost me and I never thought I would say this but .... bring back Tom Glick! ;0)

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pkay_brum added 10:46 - Oct 1 No thanks, Mr Glick was a little too slick; I think he's best left mingling happily but anonymously with the corporates at Manchester City ;-) Sam has repeated GSE history by tugging at the heart-strings of Rams fans with the recruitment of highly successful ex-Rams. Mac, Simmo & Steelie are, however, highly qualified achievers managerially and in coaching terms, who could stand the club in good stead for the future; unfortunately the same claims can't be made about Nigel's regime. Nigel's done the dirty jobs and pulled the club together so club and fans should always acknowledge those who provided the platform for progress. Over to you, Steve! Sam's set his stall out and had to make his mark - there has to me more to him than the S/T fiasco and some bullish pre-season promises, or both he and GSE will have plan an exit strategy within a year or two.

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