Derby County have re-appointed Steve McClaren as manager.
Derby manager Steve McClaren during the press conference
According to the Telegraph, newly-appointed Derby County boss Steve McClaren had to make a grovelling apology to owner Mel Morris before completing his surprise return to the iPro Stadium.
McClaren’s first Derby spell as manager started some ten games in to the 2013/14 Championship season as he replaced Nigel Clough, and he guided the club to the playoff final via a third place finish.
Despite a 1-0 defeat to Queens Park Rangers at Wembley, McClaren had brought a real buzz around the city and for spells in the following campaign they topped the table and looked on course for promotion.
Derby chief executive Sam Rush and chairman Mel Morris
However, injuries to key players coupled with heavy speculation linking McClaren to Newcastle United saw a dramatic turn in results and the Rams fell out of the playoff places on the final game of the season.
McClaren was subsequently sacked after failing to fully commit to Derby amid the Newcaste links, and since his departure the quality of football at the iPro has gradually become worse.
Nigel Pearson’s reign as manager this season lasted just nine Championship games as one win and only six goals scored coupled with reported behaviour issues (BBC) saw his tenure end by mutual consent.
Derby needed to get this appointment right after falling off track with Paul Clement and Pearson, and there is no doubt the re-appointment of McClaren has raised plenty of questions and debate among supporters.
Steve McClaren manager of Derby County
The Telegraph claim he had to make a grovelling apology to owner Mel Morris following the fall-out last time, and his latest quotes suggest he knew he had let the club and its supporters down.
“I’m very lucky to get a second chance at Derby. They had every right to sack me, I had to accept it and move on,” he was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.
“I gave them an excuse and a reason to sack me – I didn’t think they would and they did. I should have committed to Derby a lot earlier than I did during the speculation regarding Newcastle.”
“We had a meeting on Wednesday and sat around the table to thrash out our differences. There was a lot of honesty and things said in that room and there was a certain amount of healing after my departure.”
Derby County manager Steve McClaren applauds fans after the game
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