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Derby boss Nigel Pearson set for exit after he is suspended by club

Nigel Pearson prior to the Pre-Season Friendly between Chesterfield and Derby County
Image: Nigel Pearson has been suspended by Derby

Nigel Pearson looks set to part company with Derby County after he was suspended as manager, according to Sky sources.

Pearson is unlikely to continue in the role following a major falling out with the club's owner and chairman Mel Morris.

He has been suspended, pending the outcome of a disciplinary hearing, and assistant manager Chris Powell took charge of the Rams for their 2-0 Sky Bet Championship win at Cardiff City on Tuesday evening.

Pearson only took over as manager on May 27 but has found himself under pressure after Derby won just two of his first 12 games in charge and lost six.

However, the club's decision to suspend him is not on the basis of the team's poor start to the season.

Nigel Pearson, manager of Derby County
Image: Pearson only took charge of the Rams in May

A club statement released on Tuesday afternoon read: "We can confirm that manager Nigel Pearson will not be carrying out his duties at tonight's game at the request of the club.

"Assistant manager Chris Powell will take charge of the team for this evening's Sky Bet Championship match at Cardiff City. The club will make no further comment at this time."

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Speaking after victory over the Bluebirds, Powell said: "I believe I will be in charge on Saturday against Reading. I will speak to the owner on Wednesday and we will go from there.

"But that was Nigel's team and I dedicate that win to Nigel because I felt it would come and he had them in the right place to perform and full credit to everyone at the club after a tough 24 hours.

Former Leicester, Hull and Southampton boss Pearson is Derby's third manager to have worked under local millionaire Morris since Steve McClaren left the club in May 2015, following on from Paul Clement and temporary boss Darren Wassall.

Pearson, who signed a three-year contract in the summer, was critical of his players after Saturday's 2-1 home defeat to Blackburn, saying they were "paralysed by fear" and he threatened to replace some of the club's senior players with members of the youth team.

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Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby and Blackburn

"I can't keep hoping that players are going to bring their best games to the table week in week out, and then not do it, so I might have to start making changes," said Pearson after the Blackburn defeat.

"If that means introducing some of the younger players then so be it."

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