Derby County appoint Steve McClaren as technical director

Stefan Bienkowski

• Updated: 17 May 2021 22:02 BST
• 2 min read

Derby County have appointed former England manager Steve McClaren as their new technical director. 

The English Championship club are currently bottom of the English second tier and are without a first-team manager, after sacking manager Phillip Cocu earlier in the month. 

The club are also in the process of being bought over by Derventio Holdings, which is owned by Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed al-Nehayan, a member of the Abu Dhabi Royal Family. 

Who, in turn, seem to have pushed through the appointment of McClaren as they now begin the search for a new manager. 

READ MORE: 

• Tottenham statement fuels Kane departure talk as Man Utd and Chelsea circle

“Steve McClaren has agreed a contract to act as an advisor to the board with immediate effect,” the club said. 

“In this capacity he will assume the role and duties of both advisor and technical director, a position which has been identified by agreement between Mel Morris and Derventio Holdings as important to the future of the club.

“The permanent status of the technical director role will be subject to ratification by Derventio Holdings’ board following completion of the club acquisition.”

McClaren’s last managerial posting was in the Championship, when he took over from Ian Holloway at Queens Park Rangers. 

However, the 59-year-old coach was sacked in April 2019 and hasn’t been in a managerial role since. 

Derby’s chief executive, Stephen Pearce, said: “We are delighted to have Steve’s help and support at this critical time. 

“His knowledge, experience, and academic qualifications will be invaluable to us. I am sure he will make a huge contribution.”