Derby County

Steve McClaren's new ideas at Oxford clearly worked as he was lured back to Derby County by Jim Smith with £30,000 going the other way to Oxford by way of compensation.

The conversation then goes on to Jim Smith and what an influential and interesting character he was when Steve stops and mentions the name Maurice Evans. He then goes on to explain how everyone needs a mentor. “Who coaches the coaches?” He mentions Evans in such a way that I look him up on the internet and I find plenty of evidence from players and supporters alike that Maurice Evans touched many people’s lives. Clearly, Evans was an important early influence at the start of Steve McClaren’s coaching career.

The possible perception of Smith as an old school manager was quashed with his new appointment. When Steve states “ They thought he was too old and I was too young”, it might sound like a song title, but the Smith - McClaren partnership was hugely successful and took Derby, not only to the Premiership, but also established it as a mid table club.