Clement swiftly rebuilding Rams for expectant Championship challenge

Despite several of the new players having been previously outlined as targets during McClaren’s reign, including Bent’s permanent deal, along with Pearce and Weimann, but his successor is making a real impact in rebuilding nevertheless.

Clement believes his experience of working alongside some of the best coaches in world football will help him on his Derby quest, most notably his time spent as former Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti’s trusted assistant at the Bernabeu and PSG previously, but he wants his own style to shine through.

“I have my own personality and certainly won’t be trying to pretend to be anyone else,” he said. “I have to let my own style come through,” stated Clement.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some very good managers, coaches and players and over my time I’ve made sure I’ve taken the good, the not-so-good and the bad out of all of those and I’ll be dipping into that experience in this role.”

Leaving the Bernabeu following Ancelotti’s acrimonious axing and before Rafa Benitez was appointed, Clement can call upon previous success by the high-profile Italian’s side throughout reigns at Chelsea (Premier League and FA Cup double), the Parc des Princes and in La Liga, including a Champions League crown with Real, as career highlights already.

Having started his coaching at Stamford Bridge, Clement was promoted by then Blues boss Guus Hiddink, and he has vowed to use all of that experience to help his new club reach their domestic targets.

“Managing has been something I’ve had a burning ambition to do for a long time, or particularly since my work at senior level.

“For a long time I worked in developmental football and I enjoyed that very much but then I had an opportunity to step up at Chelsea, initially with Guus Hiddink and then Carlo Ancelotti and then I followed him after.

“I really enjoyed it and over the years I thought at some point I would like to have the opportunity to be a head coach and this is a fantastic opportunity to me.”

Clement will have to adjust to the rigorous tests that the Championship provides for a manager whatever his background, having formerly worked with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Zlatan Ibrahimovic at past clubs.

Although, the well-travelled coach is sure to bring a great deal of quality into this Derby squad, which he is in the process of revamping, as he looks to secure a hopeful automatic promotion next term with an expectant Rams outfit (8/1 favourites to win the Championship).