The former Derby County manager has been linked with the vacant managerial post at Middlesbrough.
Former Derby County manager Nigel Pearson
After parting ways with Spaniard Aitor Karanka, the man who got the club promoted to the Premier League last season, Middlesbrough are now on the hunt for a new manager.
With a string of important games coming up after the international break, Middlesbrough Chairman Steve Gibson has taken the tough call to replace the former Real Madrid coach, with some fans wondering whether the sacking has perhaps come too late.
One manager who has been liked with the role is former Leicester City and Derby County manager, Nigel Pearson. The Sun recently reported that Pearson was the favourite for the job, despite having a poor time with the Rams earlier this season.
So what might Middlesbrough fans expect from a Nigel Pearson side? Here’s three things Boro supporters might want to be aware of…
1. Possession and the Counter
Former Derby County manager Nigel Pearson
Nigel Pearson sides tend to do a lot of their best work (or worst when you look at that Derby County side) without the ball. Pearson likes his players to soak up pressure and then attack on the counter, often sucker-punching teams from nowhere. If there’s players with pace and energy in the side, this can work well, and Leicester City are a testament to that tactic. However at Derby, Pearson tried to implement this upon a group who were used to/built to hold onto possession and pass their way to success. The results weren’t great! Karanka’s Boro side certainly look more suited to the latter.
2. The 4-4-2
Former Derby manager Nigel Pearson
Nigel Pearson’s favoured formation; Middlesbrough fans should expect to see their team playing a flat 4-4-2 if the former Foxes manager takes charge at the Riverside. The formation was the bedrock for Leicester City’s Championship winning side, and didn’t change when they moved up to the Premier League. It got the best out of players like Jamie Vardy, David Nugent and the Leicester wingers, who had to work hard to keep their shape. At Derby County this didn’t work so well though, as players who had been playing a 4-3-3 for two years struggled to adapt to the change. Could Boro’s player adapt quick enough?
3. Divide and Conquer
Former Derby manager Nigel Pearson
One thing Pearson is certain to do, should he take charge at Middlesbrough, is weed out the players who aren’t fully committed to keeping the club in the Premier League. Pearson is somewhat or a marmite character, and is happy to drop/sell players, no matter how big a name they are, if they’re not prepared to sing from his hymn sheet. This was evident at Derby County, when Pearson chose to send striker Chris Martin, the Rams top scorer for three season, on loan to Fulham for the season.
Former Derby County manager Nigel Pearson (L)
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