Derby are edging closer to making Phillip Cocu their next manager, report The Guardian.

Frank Lampard looks set to depart for Chelsea with only the formalities to be completed, and The Rams have wasted little time in identifying the man to succeed him.

Cocu is another with a big reputation as a player, but he has also proven himself adept as a manager, and has had spells at PSV and Fenerbahce.

The former Netherlands international particularly enjoyed a very successful club at PSV, winning the Eredivisie title three times in five years, as well as getting the club to the last 16 of the Champions League, where they lost to Atletico Madrid on penalties.

He also boasts a 65% win ratio with the Dutch club, and if he can get close to a similar level Derby are bound for success.

However, as with most managerial appointments, there is some risk in brining Cocu to Derby, here we look at two pros and two cons of Derby appointing the 48-year-old.

Pros

Works well with youth players

Mel Morris has stated that a key factor in his next managerial appointment is finding someone who is willing to provide a link between the first-team and the academy, and Cocu ticks that box.

In his time at PSV he granted opportunities to several young players, some who went on to become notable names. The list includes Steven Bergwijn and Pablo Rosario, both of whom are now important players for PSV, as well as Jurgen Locadia and Memphis Depay, who both earned moves to the Premier League thanks to Cocu's faith in them.

His proven track record suggests he will not only offer young players a chance, but help them to grow into top quality players, and if he can do that at Derby he will be a big success.

Plays exciting football

In each of the years PSV won the league they did so because of their goal scoring abilities. They managed 87, 88 and 92 in those years, which from 34 games is a remarkable return.

In 2014/15, Cocu's first title-winning season, his side drew only one game as they won the league by 17 points. That suggests he is a manager willing to gamble in order to win games, and that positivity should work in Derby's advantage.

Cons

Lacks experience in English football

Outside of the Netherlands, Cocu hasn't particularly enjoyed success, although he was only at Fenerbahce a short time.

It's a similar story with his playing career, where the bulk of his appearances came in Spain and his native country, and therefore he has no experience of English football or the Championship.

The worry is his knowledge of players at this level, and what it takes to build a promotion challenging team. The Championship is a very intense league and he will need to adapt quickly. Managing players' fitness levels is crucial and will be a learning curve for Cocu, who is used to a 34-game league, rather than 46.

It is unlikely to be a long-term appointment

It is vital for Derby that they appoint a manager who can commit to the club for at least a few years. They have had five managers in four years and as soon as Lampard looked like he was about to build something good he has left.

The same could apply to Cocu. He is well respected in the game for his playing and managerial ability, and there are likely several clubs interested in him, and that interest will only increase if he has a successful year.

There is a risk he could use Derby as a stepping stone. If he takes them into the play-offs there could be Premier League interest, and if he was to also leave after just a year in charge Derby would be back at square one, again.