• Paul Clement has been appointed new Derby County manager
  • Former Chelsea and Real Madrid assistant signs three-year deal  
  • 43-year-old replaces Steve McClaren at the iPro Stadium
  • Rams missed out on Championship play-off place on final day 

Adam Shergold

Paul Clement has been appointed manager of Derby County on a three-year contract.

The 43-year-old, who served as assistant to Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, will take up his first full managerial role at the iPro Stadium.

Clement replaces Steve McClaren, who was sacked after a disappointing end to the Sky Bet Championship season that saw Derby miss out on the play-off places.

Paul Clement has been appointed the new manager of Derby County, signing a three-year contract

Paul Clement has been appointed the new manager of Derby County, signing a three-year contract

Clement, seen here with Gareth Bale, left his coaching role at Real Madrid last week 

Clement, seen here with Gareth Bale, left his coaching role at Real Madrid last week 

Speaking about his appointment, Clement said: ‘I’m incredibly excited to be joining Derby County as head coach and I am looking forward to emeting the players and getting started.

‘This is a massive club with fantastic facilities and a superb fan base who deserve success.

‘Having spoken with [club president] Sam Rush and the owners I firmly believe we share the same desires and ambitions and that is to once again make Derby County a Premier League club.’ 

Steve McClaren was sacked as Derby boss after they missed out on the Championship play-off places

Steve McClaren was sacked as Derby boss after they missed out on the Championship play-off places

Rush, who made the decision to remove McClaren following an end-of-season review by the club’s board, said: ‘Paul Clement is one of the most in-demand coaches in world football and I am delighted that he has agreed to join Derby County as our new head coach.

‘He is hugely respected, has exceptional relationships throughout football and tremendous coaching experienc eat some of the very best clubs in Europe.

‘He is the perfect appointment at the next stage of Derby County’s development and we are looking forward to the coming season with a great deal of optimism.’

The Rams, who led the Championships for several weeks in the middle portion of last season, dropped out of the play-off places only on the final day following a 3-0 home defeat to Reading.

 

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