Derby County have brought Steve McClaren back to the club this afternoon. 

The 59-year-old has had two spells as Derby manager, but this time he returns with a different task.

Technical Director & advisor to the new board is McClaren's role, with his arrival coming ahead of a permanent successor to Phillip Cocu.

Prove you’re a true Derby County fan by getting 100% on this 19-question quiz about former Rams strikers

 

Of course, Derby's hunt for the Dutchman's replacement continues, with Alan Nixon even hinting that the arrival of McClaren seems to lift the pressure off the Rams finding a senior appointment.

The club has previously explored appointing Frank Lampard, which was relatively successful during the 2018/19 campaign as Derby reached the play-off final.

With that in mind, we identify THREE men who could now be in the mix to replace Cocu after McClaren's arrival...

Wayne Rooney 

Rooney is juggling the player-manager role at the moment, but has made no secret of his desire to move into management.

He will be in the dugout (sort of) this week against Middlesbrough and looking to help Derby to a second win of the season to peel them off the bottom of the table.

With McClaren through the door, he could be offered the job safe in the knowledge that an experienced head is above him to help out.

Liam Rosenior

Rosenior is working alongside Rooney at this moment in time and has survived the axe after serving as part of Cocu's coaching team.

The 36-year-old lacks experience, but he does have a very good knowledge of the game.

Like Rooney, he could benefit from McClaren helping him out. However, he might be the more sensible appointment at this moment in time given how Derby still look like they need Rooney in a playing capacity.

John Terry 

John Terry is serving as Dean Smith's assistant at Aston Villa, but could well follow his good mate, Lampard, in taking the Derby job. He's been linked and might be a good option.

He will have learned a lot from Smith during his time at Villa Park, whilst McClaren overseeing things at Derby gives him a familiar face to lean on.

That pair crossed paths with England, as they did with Rooney - the Derby skipper.

A director, manager and captain all familiar with each other could be the exact thing Derby need to get things back on track.