Derby County appoint former PSV boss and Netherlands international Phillip Cocu as their new manager
As expected, Derby County have confirmed that Phillip Cocu is their new manager, a day after Frank Lampard left Pride Park for Premier League Chelsea.
As sportinglife.com reported earlier in the week, the former Netherlands international was set to sign a four-year contract with the Sky Bet Championship club, which has now been confirmed.
The 48-year-old becomes Derby's first ever foreign manager and also their seventh manager overall in the last four years.
Cocu spent five years as PSV boss, winning three league titles, and as a player he made 800 club appearances and won four league titles, including La Liga during his time with Barcelona.
Cocu said: “I am pleased and honoured to confirm that Derby County will be my new club and can’t wait to meet with the team and the fans to start this adventure together."
Derby have acted quickly in finding a replacement for former England international Lampard, who lasted one season at the club in his first taste of management before the lure of a return to his beloved Chelsea was too much.
Derby County Sky Bet Championship odds
- To win Sky Bet Championship - 18/1
- To finish in top six - 9/4
- To be promoted - 11/2
- To finish outside the top six - 1/3
Odds correct as of 0930 on 5/7/19
Lampard guided the club to sixth in the Sky Bet Championship and a place in the play-off final, where they were beaten by Aston Villa 2-1 at Wembley.
Derby have finished the last two campaigns in the top six, but suffering play-off heartbreak both times, so Cocu will be expected to push the club that one step further, despite facing a rebuilding job this summer, just as Lampard did a year ago.
To help him, Cocu brings his coaching team of Chris van der Weerden and Twan Scheepers with him, while Shay Given, stays on as Head Goalkeeping Coach
Derby County’s Executive Chairman, Mel Morris CBE, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Phillip Cocu as our new manager.
“We are continuing to develop our philosophy at Derby County and from the first conversation with Phillip, and his team, it was very clear they share similar views.
“The fit is strong. We want to build on the momentum that we have in our style of play, our club values, and the increasingly important role of our Academy. Phillip and his team understand the need and benefits of this approach.
“Phillip has an excellent track record of achievement in his managerial career with a proven ability to develop players to drive both tangible success and value. We are looking forward to Phillip leading us into the new season.”
Phillip Cocu lowdown
From humble beginnings
Born in Eindhoven, but brought up in Zevenaar, Cocu started his career at AZ Alkmaar, moving to Vitesse Arnhem in 1990, only to suffer a broken leg during his first season.
A transfer to PSV followed in 1995, as did success, first with the Dutch Cup and then the 1997 Eredivisie title.
Onwards and upwards
Developing a reputation as a midfield general with an eye for goal, Cocu soon attracted interest from Europe's leading clubs and joined compatriot Louis Van Gaal at Barcelona in 1998.
In six seasons at the Nou Camp, the Dutchman won a league title and went on to captain the club, where he played alongside the likes of Pep Guardiola, Luis Figo and Xavi - but Champions League success proved out of reach.
He also played for Barcelona against Derby in a pre-season friendly at Pride Park in August 2001.
Back home
After nearly 300 games for Barcelona, then a record for an overseas player, Cocu returned to PSV in 2004, winning another three Eredivisie titles and helping the side reach the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Following a season in the United Arab Emirates at Al Jazira, Cocu retired from professional football in 2008.
Dutch courage
Cocu was part of the Holland side which reached the semi-finals of the 1998 World Cup against Brazil in France. The midfielder, though, saw his penalty in the shoot-out saved by Taffarel as the Dutch suffered a heartbreaking defeat.
He also captained the Oranje, making 101 international appearances, and helped them reach the last four of both Euro 2000, which they co-hosted with Belgium, eventually losing on penalties to Italy, and Euro 2004, beaten by hosts Portugal.
Talking tactics
After hanging up his boots, Cocu returned to PSV as a youth team coach, going on to be appointed assistant manager and then caretaker boss, guiding the team to Dutch Cup success before taking on the role full-time in 2013 following the departure of Dick Advocaat.
He also worked with the Holland national team as assistant coach to Bert Van Marwijk, the squad reaching the 2010 World Cup final, where they were beaten by Spain.
Cocu looked to develop young players, including the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum, Memphis Depay and Jeffrey Bruma, signed from Chelsea during the summer of 2013.
Often utilising a zonal marking system which made them hard to break down, Cocu's side then attacked on the break down the flanks.
It proved a winning formula as PSV claimed the 2015 Eredivisie crown - a first title since 2008 to break Ajax's dominance - before defending it the following season and winning it again in 2018.
No Turkish delight
Cocu left PSV after that third league crown and had a brief spell in Turkey with Fenerbahce, but he departed after only a few months following a poor start to the campaign.
"Unfortunately, we could not bring the club, with the resources available, to the position where it belongs," he said in a statement in December 2018.
"Even though our time at Fenerbahce was short, we fell in love with Istanbul and the club."
Derby fans will be hoping it proves love at first sight when the Dutchman starts on the next chapter of his illustrious career in the relentless Sky Bet Championship.
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