Football
Peter O'Rourke, Transfer correspondent 9y

Derby eye Paul Clement as Steve McClaren replacement - sources

Derby County have lined up a move for Real Madrid assistant coach Paul Clement if, as expected, Steve McClaren leaves his position as head coach, sources have told ESPN FC.

There are serious doubts over McClaren's future at the iPro Stadium and the former England boss held talks with chief executive Sam Rush on Thursday to review the club's failure to make the playoffs.

Further talks were scheduled for Friday and sources close to the club said board members are preparing for a change in management after becoming concerned by the team's form over recent months as well as the speculation linking McClaren with the Newcastle job, which some at the club feel undermined their promotion bid at a crucial stage of the season.

After Derby's campaign had finished, McClaren publicly underlined his commitment to Derby, but it now appears that there is little prospect he will be in charge next season.

ESPN FC has been told that Derby director Mel Morris, who is set to take over from chairman Andy Appleby, is pushing for McClaren to leave and he has made Clement his top target to replace the former FC Twente and Wolfsburg manager.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche is also a contender to replace McClaren, with the former Watford manager having admirers at the club, but it is expected that Morris will have the final say once he becomes chairman and that he prefers Clement.

Clement could soon be available for the job as he is expected to leave Real Madrid along with head coach Carlo Ancelotti at the end of the season, with the Spanish giants widely reported to be planning to relieve the Italian of his duties once their season ends this weekend.

Clement, who also worked with Ancelotti at Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, said last year that he was keen to test himself as a manager and he has previously been linked with the Sunderland, Queens Park Rangers and Newcastle jobs.

^ Back to Top ^