McClaren appointed Technical Director of Derby County
Steve McClaren started a Sporting Director qualification in 2016 but was not able to complete it
Written by Training Ground Guru — November 24, 2020
FORMER England manager Steve McClaren has been appointed as Technical Director and board advisor by Derby County.
The 59-year-old will take up both roles with immediate effect, although his position as Technical Director will not be made permanent until - and unless - it is ratified by Derventio Holdings, who are in the process of buying the club from current owner Mel Morris.
McClaren has never worked as a Technical Director before. He started the Masters in Sporting Directorship qualification at Manchester Metropolitan University in 2016, although he did not complete the course following his appointment as Derby manager in October 2016.
This will be the fifth time McClaren has been employed by the club and his fourth different incarnation with them. In 1985, he signed for the Rams as a player. A decade later, he became assistant to Jim Smith, and in 2013 he returned as Head Coach following the dismissal of Nigel Clough. He returned for a second spell in the dugout in October 2016.
CEO 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.”
A statement from the club added: “In this capacity he [McClaren] 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.”
Derby are currently bottom of the Championship and, following the dismissal of Phillip Cocu on November 15th, appointed a four-man coaching team to lead the side. This quartet included Wayne Rooney, who was managed by McClaren during his time as England boss.
The club are in the process of being taken over by Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed al Nehayan, a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family, who owns Derventio Holdings.
