Steve McClaren says Derby changes will not happen overnight
Friday 14 October 2016 16:56, UK
New Derby manager Steve McClaren admits it will take time to produce a team that the club's fans can once again be proud to support.
McClaren returned to the iPro Stadium on Wednesday, 17 months after leaving the Sky Bet Championship club and has signed a deal until the summer of 2018.
The former England boss, who led Derby to the Championship play-off final in 2014, succeeds Nigel Pearson after he left the Rams last week following a suspension and club investigation into his conduct.
McClaren, now in his fourth spell at Derby, having also played for the club and been assistant to Jim Smith in the 1990s, concedes it will take time and hard work to recapture the high-tempo attacking football which was synonymous during his managerial reign at the club.
"I've been watching the team and the progress being made since I've been away," said the former England boss at his press conference on Friday afternoon.
"Derby has signed some damn good players and the potential is there. Now we have to work together and produce a team the supporters once again can be proud of.
"The way we played three years ago wasn't just successful in 2013-14, but also in the season afterwards as well. We'll look at the players and the capabilities they have. Will we play the same way again? Why not?
"We were always an exciting, attacking football team. That's what I want to see.
"But it's not going to happen overnight, it's going to take some hard work. Chemistry and gelling takes time."
McClaren, whose first match back in charge will be the visit of Leeds on Saturday, has set his sights on guiding Derby back into the Premier League in the long term.
He said: "This club should be in the Premier League. That's the aim. We have to build and grow again and establish ourselves back up to become contenders again.
"The process begins against Leeds and I will know a lot more after that. Things are not going to click straight away, there will be teething problems, but hopefully it will be a positive start.
"It's about the players showing the right attitude and taking responsibility now, that's what I'm looking for."
