Adam Pearson is confident Nigel Clough remains the man to revive Derby as a force to be reckoned with.

Pearson has resigned as Derby's chairman of football and has been tipped for a return to his former club Hull, whose chairman Paul Duffen resigned this morning.

Pearson cited the need to pursue "new challenges" as the key factor behind his decision to leave Pride Park.

He appointed Clough as Derby's manager in January and believes he will eventually take the Rams back to the top flight, even though they currently stand 19th in the Coca-Cola Championship.

"He is a manager in whom the supporters and board can totally trust with the future of their club," said Pearson.

"I have no doubt at all that Nigel, supported by his staff, will go on to be a truly great manager for Derby County Football Club and create his own legacy, in the footsteps of his father [Brian Clough].

"It has been an absolute pleasure and privilege to work with Nigel Clough over the past 10 months.

"Under Nigel's management, the wage bill is now under control, the squad size is under control, the academy structure is solid and we have a management team in place who will take the team forward."

Pearson still owns a small number of shares at Derby but, in the short term, that would not affect his expected return to Hull because his holding is less than 10 per cent.

It is understood there are plans in place for Pearson's shares to be taken up by one or more of the other investors.

Chief executive and president Tom Glick will step into Pearson's role.