Derby name former Barcelona and Holland star Phillip Cocu as new manager to replace Frank Lampard
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DERBY have appointed former Barcelona and Holland star Phillip Cocu as their new manager.
The 48-year-old has penned a four-year contract to replace new Chelsea boss Frank Lampard at the Championship side.
The former PSV Eindhoven and Fenerbahce boss has been without a job since last October after being dismissed by the Turkish club.
He will be joined by assistant manager Chris Van Der Weerden and specialist first-team coach Twan Scheepers.
Derby's head goalkeeping coach Shay Given will remain as part of the new-look coaching team.
Cocu told the official website: "I am pleased and honoured to confirm that Derby County will be my new club and can't wait to meet with the team and the fans to start this adventure together."
FOCUSSED ON YOUTH
Derby owner Mel Morris has been impressed by the former midfielder's commitment to youth, something he shares with departing manager Lampard.
Both coaches have been heavily influenced by the philosophy of ex-Holland boss Guus Hiddink, who mentored Cocu in his early managerial days.
Lampard looked up to Hiddink when he was interim manager of Chelsea in 2009.
Cocu led PSV to three Eredivisie titles, despite operating on a significantly lower budget than Ajax.
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And he was Bert Van Marwijk's assistant coach when Holland cruised to the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa.
However, Cocu lasted just four months at Fenerbahce while the Turkish side were troubled by financial constraints due to Financial Fair Play rules.
Everton reportedly considered appointing him as their manager last summer before landing current Toffees boss Marco Silva.
Cocu will now be tasked with taking the Rams up to the Premier League after last season's play-off final defeat to Aston Villa.
