, Ex-Barcelona midfielder ‘sounded out’ to replace Frank Lampard as Derby County manager

Ex-Barcelona midfielder ‘sounded out’ to replace Frank Lampard as Derby County manager

Derby County are targeting Philip Cocu as a potential managerial replacement for Frank Lampard, according to The Times.

Cocu, who spent six years with Barcelona in an illustrious playing career lasting two decades, is said to have been ‘sounded out’ by the Pride Park club as a candidate to become boss.

The news follows Derby granting permission for current chief Lampard to speak to Chelsea regarding their manager’s vacancy earlier this week.

In an interview with talkSPORT, after allowing Lampard to discuss making the move to London, Derby owner Mel Morris listed the style of play, intensity of play and connection with fans as being ‘key’ qualities for any potential new coach.

Morris also revealed that the club had begun to make plans for life without Lampard when speaking to the radio station.

“Should Frank move to Chelsea we’ve got to get our skates on,” he said.

“That’s never easy, but of course we’ve had to turn our attention to, ‘what happens if Frank does go?’”

Lampard was only appointed by the Rams last summer, at which time Cocu was also taking up a new post at Fenerbaçhe SK in Turkish Süper Lig, following a five-year spell in charge of Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven.

But the 48-year-old lasted fewer than four months in his new position, having failed to guide the Turkish side through its Champions League third round qualifying tie and with his side languishing a point above the relegation zone at the time of his departure.

However, the Dutchman previously had enjoyed a successful time in his native Netherlands with PSV, for whom he had also two spells as a player, winning three Eredivise titles and one Dutch Cup, despite going up against the better financially-equipped side in Ajax.

Derby are said to want a manger to embrace their Academy structure and with Memphis Depay having been among the names Cocu promoted to the first team from the youth set-up at PSV, he could be an attractive candidate in that regard, too.

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