Phillip Cocu has taken to his Instagram account to send an emotional message thanking Derby County and the club’s supporters following his exit from Pride Park.
The Dutchman left my mutual consent on Saturday after talks with Mel Morris.
Many supporters felt Cocu’s exit was on the cards. The Rams have been poor this season and find themselves bottom of the Championship table after 11 games.
A rather fortunate 1-0 win at Norwich City remains Derby’s only league victory of the campaign, while finding the net has been hard to come by with just five goals to date.
But despite the disappointment on the field, Cocu has remained dignified and optimistic. Taking to Instagram, the former Barcelona man feels the club’s project will be successful.
Derby appointed Cocu in the summer of 2019 as Frank Lampard’s successor.
The Dutchman has had to endure numerous setbacks during his time at Pride Park including off-field incidents, injuries to key players and a soft transfer embargo.
Cocu was tasked with bringing the youth through. On that score, he has been a resounding success with Max Bird, Lee Buchanan, Jason Knight, Louie Sibley and Morgan Whittaker all first-team squad members while Max Lowe and Jayden Bogle were sold to Sheffield United.
Football, however, is a results business and Cocu needed a response last week.
Back-to-back home defeats to nil against Queens Park Rangers and Barnsley – two teams who finished below Derby last season – saw confidence hit rock bottom.
Change will be welcome and the prospective new owners now have a big decision to make.
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