Steve McClaren appointed Derby County boss

The former England manager makes a comeback to iPro Stadium 17 months after leaving, replacing Nigel Pearson after he left last week following a suspension and club investigation into his conduct last month.

“McClaren, 55, has signed a contract which will run until the end of the 2017/18 season to return for his second spell in charge of the Rams,” read a statement on the Derby County website.

“Assistant manager Chris Powell, first-team coach Kevin Phillips and goalkeeping coach Pascal Zuberbuhler will all retain their places within McClaren’s backroom team.”

McClaren was sacked by Derby after two years in charge in May 2015 and took over at Newcastle the following month having previously turned down the role.

He moved to St James' Park after the Rams missed out on the Sky Bet Championship play-offs in 2014-15. Derby won just two of their last 13 games as they dropped from top to eighth.