Derby Count appoint Clifford !

Former Arsenal manager Ben Clifford has been appointed as Derby County manager.

Clifford, who announced his step down from Arsenal football club only a week ago, had been on the shortlist for a number of jobs.

The former Arsenal man has signed a three-year-deal at Pride Park, replacing Michael Bowes who left the club after 82 games in charge. Clifford harbours hopes of turning Derby into a promotion chasing team in the seasons to come.

Clifford told the club website:

"I’ve always wanted to manage a club with tradition and history like Derby County, After managing at the highest level only a few teams in TFF could match my ambition and hunger Derby called and i couldn't say no. This is a huge opportunity. I have spent considerable time discussing the role and the club’s objectives with the Chairman and board members.

"We want to build on the club’s finish in division 2 last season, we're lucky to still be playing 2nd tier football having stayed up on goal difference. The previous manager left having worked hard bringing through some excellent youth talent, I'd like to build on what we already have at Pride Park.

"There are certainly players here already that i am delighted to be working with, the board and i sat down after the interview process and we identified some transfer targets for the future to help move derby up the league.

"I’m confident in my own abilities and those of the team around me, including the board who haven't set any immediate targets. I know it won’t be easy - especially in the hardest division going - The board have assured me that there will be financial backing - I’m really looking forward to the challenge ahead."

Following the confirmation of a three-year contract, Derby County executive chairman had this to say

"I’m delighted to have someone of Clifford's calibre as our new manager, let's not forget he is a Champions League winner, when we interviewed him for this role his knowledge of the game and in-particular division 2 football was impressive. Considering his previous level of football we thought perhaps he would underestimate the challenge ahead of us but that wasn't the case. The board were unanimous that he was the stand-out applicant and he was the only manager we were interested in bringing to the club".

The appointment certainly seem's to be a coup for the division two outfit. After a impressive 6th place finish in TFF's debut season Derby have struggled since nearly falling out of Division two all together last season. This season hasn't proved to be much different with Derby currently sitting 13th and not 100% safe from the drop.

However many believe Derby have the quality to be knocking on the door of the top 6 with the stadium and squad already in place it's Clifford's charge to tweek the final few details which fan's hope will ultimately take them to the promised land.

The new man has first hand experience of top flight football something Derby will be hoping to tap into and use to their advantage next season. Clifford will have new funds made available to him soon in the search for the new players he believes can help push the club forward. It's certainly a risk on the new managers behalf with people out there suggesting his time at Arsenal wasn't a success Derby could prove to be the platform upon where he shines.

Ultimately he will be judged on how well Derby develop, with division 2 getting increasingly difficult with the likes of Hull, Sunderland, teams coming down like West Brom and Wigan and teams like Reading and Fulham looking good to come up from Derby won't want to get lost in the re-shuffle.

#Division2 #DerbyCounty