Derby County Football Club is delighted to announce Nigel Pearson as the club’s new Manager.

The 52-year-old former Leicester City, Southampton and Hull City boss has agreed a three-year contract with the club. He will be joined on the coaching staff by former Rams’ favourite Chris Powell, who will take up the position of Assistant Manager.

Following an extensive end-of-season review carried out by the Board of Directors, Academy Director Darren Wassall will now return to his previous role.

After a successful playing career with Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday and Shrewsbury Town, East Midlands-born Pearson is best known for guiding Leicester City to the Premier League as Championship winners in 2013/2014 - and keeping the Foxes in the top flight the following season.

In a managerial career spanning over 400 competitive games, which began with Carlisle United, Pearson has also acted as Caretaker Manager at West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle United and England Under 21s.

Following his appointment, Pearson said: "I am honoured to be named as the Manager of Derby County, which is one of the biggest clubs in the country, a club in excellent shape and one with strong ambitions. It is firmly focused on achieving Premier League football.

"I will give absolutely everything I have to this role and do all I can to bring exciting, entertaining and winning football which our supporters can be proud of.”

Derby County’s Chairman Mel Morris commented: "We are delighted to welcome Nigel to the club. He is a proven winner, a highly experienced manager who has track record of success in the Championship and has also coached successfully in the Premier League.

“Following the culmination of the season, we conducted a full review of all playing matters and began our recruitment process. This structured approach has provided us with the opportunity to consider all options and I am grateful to all those managers who were interested in coming to Derby County.

“We believe Nigel is the perfect appointment and will build on the solid progress we have made in recent seasons but more importantly, will enable us to achieve our long-term objective of Premier League football.

“It is also great to have Chris Powell back at the football club as our Assistant Manager. Chris is a top quality coach and gave us excellent service as a player. He will join Kevin Phillips and Pascal Zuberbuhler in the first-team coaching set-up.”

He added: “I would like to place on record our thanks for the dedication and commitment Darren Wassall and his coaching staff have shown since taking over first team duties in February. His initial remit was to improve team performance and ensure the club qualified for the end of season play-offs.”

Derby County’s President & Chief Executive Sam Rush said: “As we expected, there was huge interest in the managerial position and we interviewed a number of high-calibre candidates during a very comprehensive and competitive process. We have chosen the outstanding person in Nigel, who has vast experience, a track record of success and a tangible desire to get this club into the Premier League.

“Nigel is a highly sought-after, talented, manager and I know he will give us absolutely everything to make this club successful. I am excited with what the future holds.

“I know our supporters will welcome him to the club and they will also be thrilled to see Chris Powell returning to us and further strengthening our coaching team.

“I would like to thank Darren Wassall for taking on the role of Head Coach at the request of the club until the end of the season. He is a very talented man who put his full energy and vigour into the task and we are delighted he will continue to play an important part in the development of the club.”

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