Eric Steele has backed Lee Johnson to be a genuine contender to be Derby County manager.

The Championship club are currently searching for a new boss after taking the decision to relieve Phillip Cocu of his duties over a week ago.

It's proving to be a lengthy process for the Rams who have been linked with a number of different candidates for the role.

They include the likes of Wayne Rooney, John Terry, Eddie Howe, Paul Cook and a number of others.

One name who hasn't been discussed in much detail is Lee Johnson.

The manager has been out of work since being sacked as boss of Bristol City where he so nearly guided the club to a top six finish.

Quiz: Did these 17 Derby County players ever actually score a league goal for the club?

One man who has been watching the Rams closely is former coach Steele who believes that Johnson could be 'a good shout' for the job.

Speaking on the Sportscene Podcast, Steele said: "I had a name thrown at me today and I thought, what a good shout.

"Lee Johnson, ex-Bristol City manager, who took them to sixth position twice, was relieved of his duties, knows the Championship, plays good football, brought a lot of the players that we saw playing for Bristol City into that squad and setup, so when somebody suggested [him] to me today, I thought, I could see that.”

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The Verdict

Lee Johnson could be a great shout for the job.

We're seeing that Wayne Rooney and co are perhaps not up to the job and that's why Derby County need experience to get them out of the mess that they're in.

The ex-Bristol City man would tick that box, and perhaps a move should be made sooner rather than later.