After Steve McClaren’s sacking, former Birmingham City boss Gary Rowett looks set to take over the reins at Derby County.
After Nigel Pearson’s awful start to life at Derby County, the former Leicester City manager was swiftly dismissed, replaced by former Rams man, Steve McClaren.
Despite a shocking time with Newcastle United, Derby chairman Mel Morris offered the former England boss a chance at redemption, and for a while things were going well at Pride Park.
Pulling the club up from 20th to the play-off places, Derby had shifted from potentially facing a relegation, to facing a chance at promotion.
However, since the turn of the year the club had slid back down the table, with McClaren once again failing to arrest a steep decline in form; something he struggled with massively at Newcastle.
And now Derby County find themselves managerless once again, with former Birmingham City boss Gary Rowett the most likely to take charge. Rowett is one of the more exciting young English managers in the game at the moment, and after his extremely unfair dismissal at Birminhgam City, a report from the Telegraph suggests he could be set for a swift return to management at a club he used to play for.
So, with Rowett looking likely to take charge, which Derby County players could potentially flourish under his leadership?
1. Johnny Russell
The Scottish winger, who joined the Rams in 2013 under Nigel Clough, has been one of Derby’s better players during his four years with the club.
However, over the last season and a a half, Russell’s performances have not been up to standard, and the forward has struggled to score goals, therefore limiting his game-time. Rowett, who is obviously a big admirer of Johnny Russell after trying to sign him for Birmingham City, could inject a burst of confidence that the player desperately needs.
2. Matej Vydra
The former Watford and West Brom striker has not even played a full season for Derby yet, but has already worked under three different managers during his time at the club. The Czech striker is currently the Rams record signings, but has failed to impress in a Rams shirt.
However, most Rams fans believe this is down to the fact that Vydra has not been played in his favoured position behind the striker, often being used by McClaren on the left-wing. With Rowett known to favour the 4-2-3-1, Matej Vydra might finally get a chance to show Derby County fans exactly what he can do.
3. Bradley Johnson
If there is one thing you can guarantee from a Gary Rowett side, it is that it will include at least one tough-tackling bruiser. Rowett likes his side to physically out-battle the opposition, and it’s likely that Derby County’s Bradley Johnson will benefit from this. McClaren had referred to the former Norwich City manager as a warrior in the Derby squad, and has done a good job at covering the back four for the Rams this season.
With Rowett known for being able to get the best out of groups of under-performing players, the former Birmingham City man looks to be just what Derby County need right. But with so many big name players on their books, and on big wages, the task will be Rowett’s toughest yet.
Derby County celebrate
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