Steve McClaren faces the prospect of being sacked by Derby County for a second time.
The pressure is mounting on Derby boss Steve McClaren
As reported by John Percy of the Telegraph, owner Mel Morris was said to “seething” after Derby County’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of Brighton and Hove Albion on Friday night. He is now understood to be considering dismissing McClaren.
Derby have endured a retched run of results over the past month and have only managed to win one of their last nine league games. This has seen their hopes of securing a play-off place peter out as they sit in 10th position, ten points adrift of Sheffield Wednesday who sit in sixth.
With nine games left to play, it is a foregone conclusion that the Rams will be playing their league football in the Championship next season.
McClaren was dismissed by Derby at the end of the 2014-2015 after a capitulation in the final months of the season saw them drop from the top of the division to missing out on the play-offs on the final day of the season. The ex-England and Newcastle United boss was reappointed as Rams manager in October, replacing Nigel Pearson at the helm with the team sitting in 21st place.
An impressive run of results coincided with the return of McClaren, which included the team setting a new club record of eight consecutive home games without conceding a goal. At the end of January, Derby moved into the play-off places and another promotion push seemed to be imminent.
The team’s performance against Brighton is said to have left Rams owner Mel Morris seething
Derby’s dramatic drop down the league table reflects the performances on the pitch. Supporters have been left scratching their heads at some of the team selection and tactics implemented by McClaren in recent weeks.
Despite this, the majority the Rams faithful believe that dismissing McClaren after less than six months in charge is not the answer. If he is shown the door, Morris will be looking to appoint his fifth manager since becoming chairman in May 2015.
Morris is said to be a long term admirer of Gary Rowett who is still weighing up his next move after being dismissed back Birmingham back in December. While results are poor and Rowett is available, McClaren finds himself in a vulnerable position. A defeat in the East Midlands derby clash with Nottingham Forest next weekend may seal his fate.
A defeat to rivals Nottingham Forest next weekend could prove disastrous for McClaren
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