Can Phillip Cocu weather the storm at Derby County?

With rumours circulating in the media that Wayne Rooney is being lined up to replace Phillip Cocu after a poor start to their 2020/21 campaign, defeat at home to Watford on Friday evening will pour fuel onto speculation that Derby are seeking managerial inspiration from elsewhere.

Having taken over from Frank Lampard in the summer of 2019, Cocu had the unenviable take of galvanising a club that had been defeated by Aston Villa in the Championship Play-Off finals at Wembley. Filling Lampard’s boots was always going to be a difficult task.

The razzmatazz that surrounded his arrival and the free-flowing football that Derby fans were treated to, included an unforgettable evening when they overcame Leeds United in the Play-Off semi-final, will live long in the memory.

Adding to Lampard’s almost inevitable departure to Chelsea, to then lose key figures in Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Harry Wilson, it left the next incumbent with quite a rebuilding job on their hands and a challenge that many others would have passed on.

A coup for Derby then, that they managed to attract Dutch legend Cocu to Pride Park. Despite success in the Eredivisie with PSV Eindhoven in 2015, his time at Turkish giants Fenerbahçe had not gone so well, being relieved of his duties in October 2018 with his side one place above the relegation zone in the Turkish Super Lig.

Derby County owner Mel Morris was keen to appease disappointed fans, the opportunity to bring Wayne Rooney back to England and closer to his family was not one to be missed. Financed through the Bet32 sponsorship, the deal was almost a no-brainer and a welcomed addition to Cocu’s squad.

Whilst Rooney wouldn’t arrive until the following January, Derby seemed to have almost had a Play-Off spot booked at the very least with his signing. If they could stay in the top half of the table, then everything would be to play for once the ex-Manchester United star stepped foot into Pride Park.

The wheels literally fell off in the drink driving incident that ultimately cost captain Richard Keogh and striker Mason Bennett their Derby careers.

Having to contend with the surrounding hoo-hah whilst trying to embed his own philosophy, Cocu did not have it easy in navigating the unwanted media attention with added allegations of wrongdoing with regards to Financial Fair Play.

Primed with bringing through younger talent in the squad also, Derby eventually did well to finish the season in 10th place under Cocu’s stewardship.

Following Rooney’s arrival, the Rams inevitably picked up and at one point, were threatening to make a late stake for the Play-Off’s until their season petered out. Whilst Rooney had been impressive as an orchestrator in the setup, the emergence of Jason Knight and in particular, Louie Sibley further up the pitch will have had Derby fans feeling optimistic for the forthcoming campaign.

However, an incredibly disappointing start to the season has seen some fans questioning whether Cocu is the right man to take the Rams forwards. Defeats against Reading, Barrow in the Carabao Cup on penalties, Luton and Blackburn have caused fans to worry. The manner of the 4-0 defeat to Tony Mowbray’s Rovers had left Derby exposed as lightweight both at the back and in front of goal.

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Cocu was handed a lifeline just before the international break with an improved performance against Norwich City, which saw the Rams win 1-0 after a brilliant Rooney free-kick.

Whilst Cocu has been criticised for his perseverance from building out from the back as they leaked four goals in their previous outing against Blackburn, Derby looked a deal more resolute with an almost back to basics approach. With Jason Knight and Graeme Shinnie notable performers in midfield they pressed well throughout and didn’t allow Norwich to get into their stride. 

Luck was on Derby’s side as the game could have easily finished in a draw but, Teemu Pukki would miss a penalty. Whilst a goalless draw at the home of the former division champions wouldn’t have been sniffed at, it’s those type of performances and results that keeps teams at the top of the Championship table.

Whilst Cocu and owner Mel Morris have been quick to dispel the emerging managerial rumours, Cocu will know that he has underperformed so far at Pride Park. Having had so much to contend with in his first year at the club, the Dutchman will feel that he’s barely gotten started with the Rams. 

“It’s wasted energy to talk about it. I speak with Mel every day and talk about our project. I’m not going anywhere. I will do my job.” – Phillip Cocu

With new signing Jordan Ibe, Tom Lawrence, Martyn Waghorn and Sibley still not quite ready for first-team action, Cocu will be hoping that Derby can build from their first win of the season when Watford come to Pride Park on Friday evening.

The Hornets were disappointed to lose to Reading before the international break having previously been undefeated in the league with wins against Middlesbrough and Luton and a goalless draw away at Sheffield Wednesday. Not yet firing on all cylinders, manager Vladamir Ivic will be glad to see the transfer window close and work with a settled squad at Vicarage Road. 

“I hope that in the next 10 days I believe we will complete our roster, and it will for sure be easier for me to create the first eleven and the way we want to play.” – Vladimir Ivic

Watford may well have a couple of new faces to add to the squad as they are being heavily linked with moves for QPR’s Ryan Manning and Cardiff City’s Joe Bennett to strengthen the full-back areas. Former Ram Will Hughes and Andre Gray are both in the reckoning for a start at Pride Park.

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