Rush believes McClaren’s previous time at Derby came to a “premature end” and is happy to have him back at the club.
Derby chief executive Sam Rush and chairman Mel Morris
Derby County have officially rehired former manager Steve McClaren until the end of the 2017/18 season, his second spell in charge of the Rams.
McClaren returns to the Derby hot seat no more than 17 months after he left the club in acrimonious circumstances following constant speculation linking him with the job at Newcastle.
Derby president and chief executive Sam Rush said: “We are delighted that Steve McClaren has agreed to re-join us as our manager.
“We enjoyed some fantastic and memorable moments under Steve during his previous tenure in charge.
“Steve’s arrival and subsequent work helped transform how we played our football.
“His time at Derby came to a premature end and I know he regrets that greatly. He values hugely his relationship with our supporters and I know that he will work very hard to ensure that the special connection returns.”
Derby’s Max Lowe and Cardiff’s Craig Noone in action
During his last spell in charge of the Rams, McClaren guided them to the 2014 Championship Play-Off Final, overseeing 95 games with a win rate of 54 per cent.
The 55-year-old played for Derby between 1985 and 1988 and was a second division title-winner.
After leaving Derby in 2015, McClaren was appointed as manager at Newcastle United where disastrous results led to him being sacked in March this year.
Nigel Pearson manager of Derby County
McClaren has returned to Derby after the club sacked former manager Nigel Pearson following an investigation into his “behaviour” following a heated exchange with owner Mel Morris.
McClaren will oversee his first game back in charge when Derby take on Leeds United at the iPro Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
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