Derby County: Ramming It Up

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McClaren Leaves

Steve McClaren has sensationally walked away from Derby County, just days after his joining the club. It is believed a dispute over the transfer budget between McClaren and chairman Andrew Appleby, has encouraged the former England manager to reconsider his options.

However the search for Derby County's new manager didn't take long, as Appleby upgraded Derby's U18's coach, Ryan Sampaio, all the way to the top and has handed him the managerial post at Pride Park. Unexperienced Sampaio, 25, had been working wonders with the youth team, helping the latest Derby talent, Mason Bennett, force his way into the Derby first team.

"I'm absolutely chuffed with this opportunity. It's a massive step up from coaching at youth level, but it's one I'm definitely ready for. Having worked with youth for so long, I'm looking to sign and involve many young talents in this already fantastic Derby team. We're on the up and I intend to revive the Derby of the 1970s and take them back to the top of English football", said Sampaio.

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Pre-season




Verdict

I'm not one for friendlies, so I always let my assistant take over. Although pre-season is all about fitness, some of the results could have been better. But with the new tactics being implemented, I'll turn a blind eye to them!

DERBY BREAK TRANSFER RECORD




Derby County have broken their transfer record, for 20-year-old Colombian Eder Alvarez Balanta. The defender joins from River Plate for £5.5m, rising to £13.5m. Balanta, who was believed to be a target for clubs such as Barcelona and Chelsea, is believed to be a possible star of the future and has broken the previous record of the £3.5m singing of Robert Earnshaw from Norwich City, in 2007.

New Derby manager Ryan Sampaio is delighted with the signing.

"I think Eder is a huge signing for Derby. I believe many top clubs around Europe were chasing him, so for him to join us is a big compliment. He's destined for greatness and I'm hoping he's the backbone of our ambition to reach greatness. In a few years what we paid for him will be seen as peanuts, believe me."