Derby County Football Club News

• Nickname:The Rams
• Founded:1884
• Manager:Nigel Clough

• Ground:Pride Park
• Capacity:33,597

County turn to Thelwell

26 Nov 2007 - 15:16:01

Click To Enlarge

Derby County have named Kevin Thelwell as caretaker boss for Saturday's Premier League clash at Sunderland after parting company with Billy Davies on Monday morning.

The Rams' academy boss will be helped by assistant goalkeeping coach Alan Fettis and senior players Matty Oakley and Darren Moore.

County have also confirmed that assistant manager David Kelly, football consultant Craig Brown, first-team coach Julian Darby, assistant first-team coach Colin Miller, goalkeeping coach Pete Williams, reserve-team coach John Davies, sports scientist John Ireland, chief scout Clive Middlemass and head physiotherapist Andy Balderston have also left the club.

Chairman Adam Pearson told the Rams' official website: "Kevin Thelwell will look after the team this weekend, in conjunction with Alan Fettis, while Darren Moore and Matt Oakley will assist in that process as well.

"The team will be prepared in obviously a different manner but it will be a normal, professional manner.

"We will go up to Sunderland and I have just said to the players that I expect us to be good enough to compete there."

Saturday's home defeat to Chelsea left the Rams rooted to the foot of the Premier League table with only six points from their 14 games.

County have already lost ten matches this season, scored only five goals and conceded 33.

Davies joined County from Preston North End in June 2006 and guided the club to a surprise promotion via the Championship play-offs last term.