The Football League thread

Derby County name Steve McClaren as Head Coach, on a three-year contract.

He's joined by Paul Simpson, his first team coach, and Eric Steele, the new goalkeeping coach.

 

What's the bloody point? seriously.

 

In appointing McClaren? He's a really highly thought of coach.

There's often comparisons made between traditional British coaches and the superiority of those on the continent, and McClaren is a top coach with many good ideas, who is always developing his style. Those who've worked with him cite him as a great coach who puts on superb sessions.

I imagine this is why Derby have gone for the move to the Head Coach model. It's something that works well when it's implemented properly. You only need to look as far as St. Mary's to see this system in use. Pochettino is effectively head coach. He is a well regarded and modern coach, with Les Reed in the Director of Football role in all but name.

McClaren has worked under some great coaches, such as Sir Alex Ferguson, and some lesser coaches, such as Harry Redknapp, but Sir Alex couldn't speak highly enough of the man and his methods. That's got to be worth something.

I think some people give McClaren a tough ride based on his England tenure alone. It's somewhat of a poisoned chalice. The FA retain the final right over squad selection, and the English attitude has been backwards for some time. He did well with Middlesbrough and FC Twente. Wolfsburg didn't work out, and nor did Nottingham Forest. In all honesty, that was a horrible time to be managing Forest.

If I remember correctly, the scenario was that Nigel Doughty's death affected the club for some time, and there were a lot of square pegs in round holes. They gave us a run for our money in that 3-2 win at St. Mary's. Some of the signings were a bit odd and misjudged, but that shouldn't happen in Derby's system.

The appointment of Simpson and Steele is also a shrewd move. Simpson is a popular individual at Derby, whilst Steele is a very highly-rated goalkeeper coach that Manchester United were disappointed to lose. He's got some good staff around him.

I'm still not sure on the decision or timing of Clough's sacking, but they could've had much, much worse.

Now to see how it plays out...

 

The point being that, as a respected coach, when McLaren can't get them any further up the league, they'll go... Oh ****..!

 

Quite. Exceptional coaching can get you so far, but you do need to back the coach with the sufficient resources, even if you intend to bank on over-achievement.

 

Derby will probably get slightly better under McClaren but not enough to justify the change in management IMO.

 

Big night in the Championship. Burnley go top with a win.

 

Look what the Derby talk did... http://connorarmstrong.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/steve-mcclaren-thoroughly-continental.html

 

Yeah, the amount of stick McLaren gets is completely unjustified, but that's the fickle media for you. I wouldn't have a problem with him as Portsmouth manager. He didn't do brilliantly as England manager, but neither has Hodgson (but then the media called for an English manager and they have to get their way like the spoilt brats they are). And at least he's willing to test himself abroad, unlike most of the other narrow-minded managers that flitter from random club to random club, happy to stay in their comfort zone, a bit like most English players.

And do the FA really have final say on the England squad selection?

 

I wouldn't have a problem with him as Portsmouth manager

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In defending him, that's kinda insulting!

 

3-1 to Ipswich already! Screw defending!

 

Make that 4!

 

I the appointment of McLaren is already having a positive effect!

 

Haha, he's not managing tonight.

 

Just his influence from the Stands!

 

Derby 3-4 Ipswich...

 

What the ****!

 

Mclaren is a good coach. Is that what is needed to get out of the championship? not so sure myself.

 

Wow Leeds are looking pretty darn poor thus far.

 

Derby 4-4 Ipswich