da betobet： Following a run of six points from their last nine Championship fixtures, the Derby County board decided to sack manager Steve McClaren for the second time on Sunday night.
da dobrowin： The Rams’ 3-0 defeat to automatic promotion hopefuls Brighton and Hove Albion on Friday proved to be the final straw for the former England boss, with County lying 10 points from the play-off positions with nine matches of the season to go.
A place in the top six at the end of the campaign now looks beyond their reach, and another year at this level would be a blow for the board and the supporters.
While the news of the dismissal would have come to a blow to some of the Rams players, for others it might have been a relief after finding it difficult to break into the starting XI on a consistent basis.
Here are three Derby players that will be pleased with the dismissal of Steve McClaren…
Will Hughes
Despite being just 21 years of age, Hughes has quickly shown that he is one of Derby’s key players over the course of the past couple of years.
He only signed a new three-and-a-half year deal at Pride Park in January, but the talented midfielder has found first team starts hard to come by under Steve McClaren during the poor run of form in recent weeks.
It is something that bewildered the supporters – and probably the player too.
Craig Bryson
The 30-year-old midfielder was one of the key men for Derby during Steve McClaren’s first spell in charge of the club, but since the former England manager returned to the east Midlands in October, the Scot has often found himself on the substitutes’ bench – especially in recent weeks.
Having been at Pride Park since 2011, Bryson will still feel he has a lot to offer the team, and will be hoping that the departure of McClaren gives his more opportunities.
Ikechi Anya
The Scottish winger only joined Derby for £4m back in August – when the Rams were managed by Nigel Pearson – but since his departure and the arrival of Steve McClaren in October, he has found first team minutes hard to come by.
He has made just 20 appearances in the Championship this term, with the majority of those coming from the substitutes’ bench under McClaren, and will be keen to secure himself a regular spot in the starting XI when the new boss arrives.