The 53-year-old was suspended by the Rams earlier this week.
Don Goodman has told Sky Sports’ EFL Weekly podcast that Derby could struggle to lure a ‘high calibre’ replacement for Nigel Pearson.
Pearson was suspended by the Rams earlier this week, pending an internal investigation and is not expected to return to his role, which he only inherited in May.
Assistant boss Chris Powell took the reins for Tuesday’s 2-0 win at Cardiff City, which took place just three hours after Pearson’s suspension was announced by the club.
The Daily Mail reports the former Charlton and Huddersfield boss is in the frame to land the job, along with five other past-and-present Championship bosses.
Finding someone better than Pearson, however, who led Leicester City to the second-tier title in 2014, will not be straightforward, according to Goodman.
“Ultimately I think that will be Derby’s loss,” the former West Brom and Wolves player told the EFL Weekly podcast.
“The problem is it’s not just (a case of) do you want to be the manager of this fantastic football club, with lots of resources and finances at your disposal? Of course the answer would be yes.
“But then obviously Mel Morris has got a big influence and that is his right, he is the owner of the football club. But it’s not the first manager that he’s fallen out with and therefore you wonder how much involvement Mel Morris has within the football side of things.
“There aren’t many managers worth their salt, of a high calibre – fully established, if you like – that are going to want to work with an owner that wants to get involved. So it’s not as straightforward as who should replace Nigel Pearson if he does go. It’s a difficult conundrum for Derby County to solve.”
According to the Daily Mail, Huddersfield boss David Wagner will be considered by Derby once Pearson’s sacking is confirmed, while the Sun reports that Birmingham City boss Gary Rowett is a top target.
The Rams finished fifth last season, but are currently a point off the relegation places in 20th.
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