Derby have announced Gary Rowett as their new manager on a deal until the end of the 2018/19 campaign.
The Rams sacked Steve McClaren for the second time over the weekend after watching their play-off hopes disappear and have now turned to former player Rowett.
The 43-year-old spent three years at Derby as a player and has been out of work since being bizarrely sacked by Birmingham at the start of December.
“I am naturally thrilled to be appointed as the manager of Derby County and can’t wait to get started,” Rowett told the club’s official website.
“I feel that I have a special bond with the club having been here as a player. During that time, we tasted success when we were promoted to the Premier League and moved to Pride Park Stadium under Jim Smith.
“Living in the local area, I understand the expectation of the fanbase and it goes without saying that Derby County has fantastic and committed supporters.
“I have coached in the Academy in the past so I know the values of the club and I am looking forward to sharing my experience and knowledge of the league with the staff and players.
“I am fully aware of the playing squad here and I am looking forward to working with them all first hand.”
One of Rowett’s first tasks will be to reinvigorate the front line and help Derby score more goals. The Rams are 10th in the Championship but have scored at least eight fewer goals than any other team in that part of the table.
Just one win in their last nine league matches has also seen the club move 10 points adrift of the top six.
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