Derby County are likely to appoint a young manager with a view to 'a long-term appointment', according to George Elek.

The Rams are searching for someone to take over as boss following the decision to sack Phillip Cocu.

But any hope of taking their time to find someone has been squashed with results on the field in desperate need of improvement.

With Derby rooted in the Championship's relegation zone supporters are looking for a decision to be made to take the club forward, but anyone looking for an experienced hire may be disappointed.

EFL journalist and pundit George Elek was discussing the upcoming appointment and claimed that it will be an up-and-coming boss who will get the job.

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However he also claimed that Wayne Rooney's hopes could be hanging by a thread.

Speaking on the Totally Football Show, Elek said: "I don’t know about you, but I struggle to see Sam Allardyce or Rafa Benitez or even John Gregory working under the watchful eye of Steve McClaren.

"You have to assume if this is going to be a long-term appointment, the likes of [John] Terry, of Rooney, possibly of Rosenior, are the ones who are likely to get the job, but on the basis of what we saw [against Middlesbrough], you’d have to think that Wayne Rooney’s chances of getting this job probably hinge on this game.

"It’s unlikely in my opinion, to see him appointed after failing to beat Wycombe Wanderers.”

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The Verdict

The need for a permanent appointment is getting greater by the day.

Derby County need someone to come in and start building for the future as they look to move away from the Championship's relegation zone.

Whether a high-potential young boss is the right way to go remains to be seen, but supporters will just be hoping to get a decision made sooner rather than later.