Former Derby County boss Nigel Pearson breaks silence on controversial exit

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The former Leicester City and Hull City manager was sacked by Derby after just four months in charge.

Former Derby County boss Nigel Pearson has finally opened up on his time at Pride Park, and claimed that his exit was in the best interest of all parties concerned, as said on Goals on Sunday and reported by the Derby Telegraph.

Pearson was hired last summer with the remit of getting the Rams back into the Premier League since their disastrous relegation in 2008, but only lasted four months in the job after winning just three of his 14 matches in charge.

However, Pearson’s sacking runs deeper than just poor results, as prior to his dismissal, the former Leicester City boss was suspended following a blazing row with Derby chairman Mel Morris in the aftermath of a 2-1 home defeat to Blackburn Rovers, as reports the Telegraph.

Speaking about his experiences as Derby manager for the first time, Pearson conceded that things just did not work out for him at Pride Park, and believes he has learnt a lot from his short spell with the club which will stand him in good stead for the future.

“All things considered, it was probably the right outcome, for me and for them,” Pearson said on Goals on Sunday, as reported by the Derby Telegraph. “Sometimes, you have to accept that things don’t work in the way you would like.

“Without going into details, it just didn’t work – so you move on. When you reflect on things, it is important that you learn from the unhappy times.

“Football is no different to life. You are always learning about yourself and you probably learn as much from the bad experiences than the good. On a personal level, you reflect on how you work. I know now situations I won’t expose myself to again.”

Derby were in 22nd position in the table when Pearson was sacked for Steve McClaren’s second spell in charge, which lasted just a month longer than Pearson’s spell, with Gary Rowett replacing McClaren in March.

In the end, Derby finished the Championship season in ninth place, 13 points behind sixth placed Fulham, but 16 clear of 22nd placed Blackburn Rovers, who were relegated on the final day of the season.