Pearson’s return to Pride Park is Danny’s top choice
TV and radio pundit Danny Murphy, the former Liverpool and Fulham midfielder, believes Nigel Pearson would be a good appointment for Derby County.
The Rams are looking for a new manager following the departure of Phillip Cocu at the weekend by mutual agreement.
Pearson was appointed Rams boss in May 2016 but left by mutual consent after less than five months.
The 57-year-old former Watford, Leicester City, Hull City and OH Leuven manager is currently out of work.
Rams player-coach and skipper Wayne Rooney is favourite with the bookmakers to fill the vacant position but it would be the 35-year-old former England captain’s first managerial role.
Murphy feels appointing Rooney would be a risk.
“As a player, you want the manager who’s going to suit you the best in terms of your own style. I don’t know Rooney’s philosophy but I would imagine Rooney would want to play (attacking) football,” Murphy told TALKSPORT.
“If I was in charge of choosing Derby’s next manager, I’d be going
for a Pulis or a (Sam) Allardyce - someone I know is going to keep me in the division.
“As a footballer, I’d want Rooney because I know he’d play. But I think he would be too much of a risk for the owner.
“(Pearson) is more of an Allardyce or a Pulis. Pearson would be a good appointment. Pearson is a good shout.”
Derby are bottom of the Championship with only six points from 11 games.
DERBY County are set to face former striker Chris Martin on Saturday when they take on Bristol City in a Championship clash at Ashton Gate.
Martin joined City in the summer after leaving Derby at the end of his contract.
The Rams and the striker had been in talks over a new deal but could not reach an agreement.
Martin has made 13 appearances for his new club and scored two goals to help the Robins to fifth in the table.
Here, Gregor Macgregor of Bristollive provides the inside track on the impact Martin has made.
“He’s been excellent,” said Mcgregor.
“He’s perhaps unfortunate that he hasn’t scored more than the two goals already but he does have a healthy four assists to his name in the League, too.
“His first touch is always excellent and he’s been superb at holding the ball up and bringing others into play.
“As a senior player, he’s been very good in the dressing room, too.
“I’m a little surprised Derby let him get away but then we’ll see how things play out over the next few months.”