Mac Out, Rowett In?

There`s never a dull moment at Pride Park at the moment with the news of yet more changes in the managerial hot-seat with Steve McClaren getting sacked again and Gary Rowett looking set to replace him less than 48 hours later.

After a woeful performance in the 3-0 defeat to Brighton on Friday night rumours intensified that McClaren`s position could be under threat and it turned out to be more than paper talk when on Sunday evening an official statement was issued by the club. Taken directly from dcfc.co.uk this quoted chairman Mel Morris as saying:

“Steve is a great coach, we have very talented players and first class facilities but the heartbeat, commitment, focus and passion has been lacking something fundamental.

“The Brighton game on Friday night was so far from what we expect to see from those wearing a Derby County shirt.

“To ensure we are on the right path, it is important to put the building blocks in place so we can develop a team we can all be proud of. Players should wear the shirt with pride and share, espouse and exude the qualities and values we believe are important to the club, its supporters and the community.

“We need a manager who shares our values and who is prepared to develop the team, staff and processes that will set us on course for a sustainable place in the Premier League. We are less concerned about timescales than we are about getting things right. Of course we would like to achieve this sooner rather than later.

“That manager will of course be given the full support and backing of myself, the board, our executive team and staff to shape and develop the team around those who truly and demonstrably want to be part of Derby County.”

Following the news the rumour mill again went into meltdown with Gary Rowett the name seemingly top of the list and today it has been widely reported (BBC, Guardian) that he has had talks with the club with an announcement expected in the morning to name him as the new manager.