It's safe to say that Derby County haven't had the season they originally hoped for under the management of Phillip Cocu. 

The Rams are currently sat 20th in the Championship table, with only one win to their name from their opening four league matches.

So, it's understandable that some of the club's supporters are growing frustrating with Cocu, as they lose ground on the teams eyeing promotion into the Premier League this season.

The Dutchman will have been relieved to see Wayne Rooney fire home the winner against Norwich City in their most recent match, but that seemingly might not be enough to save him his job in charge of the Rams.

The Sun have recently reported that Cocu is facing the sack if they're to fall to a defeat against Watford on Friday evening, with Rooney being lined up as his potential replacement this term.

Rooney doesn't have any experience of managing a team, but it is also claimed that former Derby boss John Gregory could return to the club to assist the former Manchester United and England forward.

But with the right guidance, Rooney could certainly succeed in management, as he's a well-respected figure in world football, and not just by his Derby team-mates.

He's achieved a considerable amount both at club level and on the international stage with England, so he'd certainly be able to motivate a group of under-achieving players.

If he was to continue playing as well, he'd have a positive impact on the pitch as well, as he's already shown that he can still perform to a high standard in the Championship with the Rams.

The 34-year-old has chipped in with seven goals and three assists so far in his time with Derby, and you'd imagine that he'd be confident of adding to that tally in this year's campaign.

But if he was to be considered for the Derby managerial job, then it's important that he gets the right balance between coaching and his playing career.

We've already seen Derby have success in appointing managers with little experience in the dugout, with Frank Lampard now managing at Chelsea, after previously guiding the Rams to the Championship play-off final.

In his time with the club, Lampard was able to attract a number of promising young players to the club from the Premier League, and you have to feel as though it could be a similar situation with Rooney if he was to be appointed.

This can only be a good thing, as they'll be eager to make a name for themselves with the Rams, who are certainly in need of adding depth to their squad.

But the pressure is firmly on Phillip Cocu for now, and if they are to be beaten by Watford on Friday evening, then we could be in for an eventful few days at Derby, as they look to make changes to a team that have been underperforming in recent months.

There is potential in this Derby team, and Rooney could be the person to take them back into the promised land in the future.