Former Derby County striker Steve Howard has urged the Rams to appoint Eddie Howe as their next permanent manager. 

Phillip Cocu left the East Midlands club during the January transfer window and the search for his replacement is ongoing.

An interim coaching team that includes Wayne Rooney and Liam Rosenior has taken charge of the Rams for the time being but a string of other names have been linked with the vacant manager role, including Rooney, Rosenior, Steve Cooper, and John Terry.

Howe, who left Bournemouth in the summer after their relegation from the Premier League, is also reportedly a candidate and it appears he is the preferred choice of the former Derby forward.

Howard took to Twitter yesterday to urge the East Midlands club to turn to the 42-year-old coach as their replacement for Cocu.

During 11 years across two separate spells with the Cherries, Howe led the South Coast club from League Two to the Premier League and usually had his side playing expansive and exciting football.

Speaking recently on Sky Sports, the Englishman outlined his ambition to get back into management in the future.

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The Verdict

It's hard to disagree with Howard here.

Considering what he did with Bournemouth, Howe would surely be a fantastic appointment for the Rams.

Not only does he have experience building a squad and securing promotion to the top flight, but he has also done those things while playing exciting and attractive football.

It's easy to forget that the 42-year-old has been linked with some top Premier League jobs in recent years but following the takeover, Derby may have the cash to convince him to join.