JAMIE CARRAGHER

Date of Birth: 21/01/1978
Place of Birth: Bootle, Liverpool
Nation: England
Club(s): Liverpool
Domestic Apps: 508
Domestic Goals: 4
International Caps: 38
International Goals: 0

"He’s been a bedrock of their defensive qualities for years and years. I loved him. He’s a fantastic example for any young lad that wants to play the game. He’s been a really, really good professional."

Sir Alex Ferguson

CARRAGHER RETIRES

With the great and good of the football world in mourning, Jamie Carragher, one of the most loyal, committed and honest players in modern football, has announced his retirement. Carragher is the second highest capped Liverpool player of all time and holds the record for most appearances in European football for the club, with 150. In his wake, Carragher leaves a legacy for combative, full blooded and proud football, the likes of which are few and far between in a game rapidly falling towards being a non-contact sport. One of the most iconic images of modern Liverpool Carragher will be sorely missed not only throughout the city but also the football world. The question on many lips however, is what will Carragher do next?

Seen as a gentleman and scholar of the game, Steven Gerrard celebrates his friend and team-mate as "One of the most knowledgeable guys in football" in his autobiography and it is well known that Carra is somewhat of a 'Football Geek' and recent reports have suggested that Carragher may be interested in management, with the current vacancy at Derby County seen as a dream entry into the unforgiving world of football management for the recently retired icon.

Derby County had a few years in the spotlight under outspoken manager Brian Clough, during which period they rose from the bottom of the second tier of English Football, to winning the Champions League, however since then Derby County has failed to reach those heights, yo-yo'ing between the Premier Division and Championship, the club is currently most famous for their record low points tally in the Premier Division, of 11. However, with names like Carragher being tossed around to fill the current managerial vacancy, the Midlands mood is optimistic...

CARRAGHER JOINS DERBY COUNTY

"Our Midlands reporter with the story..."

"Yes, I'm here at Pride Park where Derby County have just, in the last few minutes announced recently retired Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher as there new manager. It is thought that the club see this as an opportunity to start a new era at the club, to build for the future. That, they say is why they've put their faith in such a young, inexperienced manager in Jamie Carragher, they see this as a long term investment in him, who has been seen by many as a manager in the making for some years. I have spoken to Carragher, he told me that he was excited about the opportunity and very thankful to the Derby board for putting their faith in him, he hopes he will be able to repay this. Reaction here in Derby has been mixed, many are glad to have a big name like Carragher at the club, they feel it has out the club back 'on the map'. However, some are worried about hiring an inexperienced manager, only time will tell if this gamble will pay off."

A new era at Derby dawns...

DERBY PIN DOWN YOUNG STARS

Derby County this morning announced that both Mason Bennett and Will Hughes have signed long term contracts with the club. The pair, who are highly regarded at Derby have both committed their futures to the club, whilst the giants of world football swirl around their young talent. Bennett's deal keeps him at Derby till 2016, on a weekly wage thought to be around £2,400, speaking to the official Derby County website Bennett said: "I'm really grateful to Derby for their investment in me as a person, and a player, I just love playing for my local club." Hughes' deal will ensure he stays a Derby boy until 2018, the England U21's midfielder is ranked amongst one of the best young stars in the game and has been linked with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United in the past so to have tied him down for such a long period of time is particularly shrewd business by new manager Jamie Carragher. Hughes also spoke to the County website and talked about his pride at playing for his local club, and how honoured he felt to be working under a man like Jamie Carragher.

With the season drawing close, perhaps Carragher will now turn to signing players from outside the club, with striker Jay Bothroyd, and full back John Pantsil currently on trial at Pride Park.

DERBY DELVE DEEP

New Derby County manager Jamie Carragher has been delving deep into the pockets of his new club, early on in his tenure. Working on a shoe string budget Carragher has introduced 13 new faces to Pride Park and with the season just around the corner, their is a sense of the unkown this year for Derby County. Carragher, however, has not broken the bank by any means, having not spent a transfer fee on any of his new men, the young manager has added experienced, old hands on Free Transfers, and injected fresh, hungry talents from the youth of the Premier League.

Carragher clearly, sees the hunger and desire of youth as a route to success, however recognising the need for experience he has also brought in many experienced players this pre season, the full transfers for Derby County this summer are below:

Most notably, Carragher has brought in Gretar Stenisson, and John Pantsil-both experienced full backs. Jay Bothroyd too will offer Derby experience, and John Mensah solidity at the back.
Working on the cheap like this has meant that Carragher has not had to put too much work into balancing the books, with the only notable absentee, young full back Kieron Freeman.
Having put in the work off the field, Carragher has been reaping the rewards on it, with a largely successful pre-season at Pride Park:

Carragher, his players and Rams fans alike will now be hoping they can carry this form into the competitive season, with driven manager Carragher, carrying his on-field, pride and fight into his management, the Rams will be hoping for a successful season.