Steve McClaren has signed a new three-year contract at Derby County, and has predicted a bright future for the club.
The former England coach was appointed as Rams head coach at the end of last September, following the departure of the axed Nigel Clough. He had an instant impact on the club, and led them to a third place finish in the Championship, following which they reached the playoff final at Wembley where they were unlucky to lose at Queens Park Rangers.
Derby will be amongst the favourites for promotion this season, and their chances have been boosted by the news that McClaren – along with first team coach Paul Simpson and goalkeeping coach Eric Steele – has signed a new contract which keeps him at the club until 2017.
“I’m delighted to sign a new contract with Derby County, along with Paul Simpson and Eric Steele, who are vital members of our coaching structure,” he told the official club website. “Derby is a club that is close to our hearts and we’re all delighted to commit our futures to what continues to be an exciting project. I have enjoyed working alongside president and chief executive Sam Rush and the rest of the executive team, as well as the ownership group who have a fantastic passion for the club to be successful.
“The fans have bought into what we’re trying to achieve and their backing has been nothing short of magnificent. The club is continuing to grow and we’re all happy to be part of it; the future is exciting for Derby County. Last season ended in heartbreaking fashion, but we all have our focus on the future now and there’s a real excitement for the season ahead.”
McClaren has been busy this summer refining his squad ahead of the new campaign, with George Thorne completing a £2million permanent move from West Bromwich Albion after impressing on loan last term, whilst Zak Whitbread and Leon Best are amongst the other nine arrivals. The Rams begin their quest for promotion on Saturday afternoon, when they welcome second-tier new-boys Rotherham United to Pride Park.
