It seems like half of the clubs in the division are going to have serious issues this summer, wages and budgets need to be cut for many after ploughing money into playing squads that failed come the end of the season. Derby County are one of the clubs in question, and some sobering words from the owner will hit the club hard.
Derby County owner Mel Morris says a new "austere" regime is coming to Pride Park, slashing the club's budget after missing out on promotion. #dcfc
— Pete O'Rourke (@SportsPeteO) May 28, 2018
Derby have already had a shock to the system since losing in the play-off semi final against Fulham. Manager Gary Rowett bailed on the club to head to Stoke City. Rowett probably left knowing what was coming at the club and in reality the problems started long before he came. Under the likes of Steve McLaren, Nigel Pearson and Paul Clemet money was thrown at the playing squad and even at the start of this season Derby didn’t learn their lessons.
Money may buy success in nearly every division on the planet but it doesn’t make it nailed on in the Championship at Derby are learning that the hard way, they aren’t the only ones either. Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa, Norwich City and others are feeling the strain of spending money with no success and they only have themselves to blame. With Derby now having to sell players the job for the incoming manager is all the more difficult.
Frank Lampard admitted he was in talks with the club after the Champions League final on Saturday night and his task is going to be made all the more difficult by the fact that he won’t have the money to spend like the previous managers. It doesn’t look like Derby are going to enjoy their summer months with this situation on the horizon and the numbers weren’t great as it was, the club failed to fill their ground for the play-off semi final against Fulham, a sign of the times.