Former Scotland manager Alex McLeish told Football Insider how Derby County would be a cracking project for Aston Villa assistant John Terry to begin his managerial career.
The Rams are currently bottom of the Championship table.
One win and just five goals scored has prompted speculation over manager Phillip Cocu’s future.
The Daily Mail claims the impending takeover is the only reason why Cocu hasn’t been sacked already as owner Mel Morris fears his dismissal could impact the club’s valuation.
The same editorial last week later claimed Terry could be an option to replace Cocu.
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The former Chelsea captain has been working alongside Dean Smith since 2018, and the Villa boss admits he wouldn’t stand in Terry’s way should another club come calling.
Speaking to reporters, McLeish feels Derby would be perfect for Terry.
Derby have got huge potential, we’ve seen Frank was nearly there with the play-off. If John can get to that sort of level and even more so, getting them into the Premier League, if the resources are there of course, that’s what you have to think of as a coach and as a manager going into a new job. I think that would be more of a temptation for John. I would think if John was having stepping stones, that Derby one sounds like a cracking project.
Terry is no doubt biding his time at Villa to become a number one elsewhere.
The 39-year-old would have seen Frank Lampard’s rise to Chelsea boss and Steven Gerrard’s role at Rangers as inspiration for his own managerial plans.
But Derby may already have one eye on Cocu’s successor in Wayne Rooney.
The Rams captain joined the Pride Park club last January, and he is proving to be a popular figure with fellow Derby players speaking out on his influence in the dressing room.
Rooney’s contract at Derby expires next summer. The 35-year-old, however, would surely be tempted to hang up his boots earlier if the Rams job came his way.
Also see: Report: Promotion-chasers eye striker who Derby tried to sign in £900k summer deal
Also see: ‘All set, no doubt’: Pundit certain of who Derby will appoint to replace Phillip Cocu