Derby County will announce on Monday 1 June 2015 that as widely expected, Paul Clement, 41, will be handed the Head Coach role at the Rams on a three year deal, succeeding Steve McClaren after the former England man was sacked earlier this week.
Speculation about his appointment intensified after Clement posted via his Twitter that he had left Spanish giants Real Madrid.
The deal was initially purported to be worth more than £2.7 million a year, however club officials have distanced themselves from such speculation describing the reports as “embarrassing”.
Clement comes with a burgeoning reputation in the footballing community for man management skills and has been trusted by Carlo Ancelotti since the Italian had his brief spell at Chelsea from 2009 to assist him at some of the biggest clubs in the world. He teamed up with Ancelotti twice more, first at Paris St-Germain and then latterly, being handed the assistant role at Real Madrid after impressing in his work with his methods. Ancelotti describes Clement as “one of the most dynamic and intelligent coaches” he has worked with.
The former PE teacher from Sutton has been widely linked with managerial positions in England over the last 12 months, with Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion, for whom his brother, Neil Clement played for and latterly Sunderland keen on his services.
In swooping for Clement, the Derby board have secured one of the most highly sought after coaches in European football and hope that his presence and change in direction will lift the Rams into top flight action after narrowly missing out over the past two seasons.