Derby could be about to reappoint Steve McClaren as manager, with Bruce bound for Aston Villa instead.
Talksport pundit Dean Ashton has queried Derby County’s decision not to pursue Steve Bruce, whose appointment as Aston Villa manager is all but confirmed.
A report in the Daily Mirror on Wednesday morning claimed that Steve McClaren is set for a shock return to Derby as part of Chris Powell’s coaching team – 17 months after his departure as manager.
However, it has since been suggested that McClaren could even be installed as the Rams’ new boss, with caretaker Powell returning to an assistant’s role, which he served under previous incumbent Nigel Pearson.
Pearson was initially suspended by Derby in late September – a whole six days before Roberto Di Matteo was sacked by Aston Villa.
Despite the 53-year-old’s departure not being officially announced until last Saturday, there has been little mention of Bruce – who has won four promotions from the Championship – in connection with the vacant post at the iPro Stadium.
And this appears to have left Villa with a free run at the former Hull City boss.
“How come Derby aren’t knocking down Steve Bruce’s door?” Former England striker Ashton told Talksport. “Saying: come and manage Derby, come and take us to the Premier League.”
Derby had been linked with Championship bosses Gary Rowett and David Wagner, whose name was also in the frame for the Aston Villa job, although many bookmakers declined to take bets on Pearson’s successor, with Powell previously expected to remain in the hotseat.
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