Paul Clement chooses tough time to cut managerial teeth at Derby County

Paul Clement is going it alone. Best known as Carlo Ancelotti’s number two at Chelsea, PSG and Real Madrid, the 43-year-old steps out of the Italian’s shadow, following his sacking by Real Madrid, and into the shoes of Steve McClaren at Derby County, who flopped twice at crucial times under his management.

Novice Clement is a 9/1 chance with Coral to guide the Rams to next season’s Championship title, but has chosen to take on a job that is clearly tougher than it looks. Very much at a career crossroads after six years on and off of working under Ancelotti, he must pick up the Derby dressing room after another disappointment and one that cost his predecessor dear.

How are the Rams to keep their prized assets from the clutches of the Premier League elite they were so close to joining just 12 months ago? And more worrying still, how can County compete in a new Championship campaign that promises to be more cut-throat than ever?

You can throw a blanket over the very early outright betting market on next term, with Derby and 12 other teams rated 13/2 promotion chances or shorter. It’s ambition driving the Rams forward, desperate to emulate the success enjoyed by East Midlands rivals Leicester City, and get into the Premier League ahead of that new mega TV deal.

Persuading prized midfield pair Jeff Hendrick and Will Hughes to stay at Pride Park with Premier League interest once again mounting in them will take some doing. This dynamic duo, along with other key players, shall have been sold the vision of top-flight football before, which admittedly as a unit they have failed to deliver in Derby.

If Clement, who has penned a three-year contract with County, cannot keep such stars, plus loan ace Tom Ince who predecessor McClaren certainly wanted on a permanent basis, then he must have the means or network to replace them. Former clubs Chelsea and Real can oblige here.