Premiership: Derby begin hunt for new boss

Derby's directors will meet today to begin the process of searching for a new manager - and to decide whether funds will be made available to him.

The Rams are looking for a replacement for Colin Todd, who was sacked on Monday after just three months and 17 games in charge.

No sooner was Todd out the door than Derby were distancing themselves from speculation that striker Fabrizio Ravanelli would be appointed player boss.

Chief executive Keith Loring said: "I think it is very unfair that has been said.

"Fabrizio has never said one disloyal thing about Colin Todd. He has never mentioned to me that he had any interest in being coach of Derby and no-one from the club has spoken to him about that.

"I haven't spoken to Fabrizio since last Friday. It is unfair on Fabrizio that he has been linked with this because it puts him under pressure - but it happens."

Loring said the board would make no reassurances to the new boss about his length of tenure. "There are no guarantees in football and there never will be," he said.

"Let's look at Derby County's record: Jim Smith was here for six years. Colin Todd was here for 15 months, not just three. During those three months we haven't actually seen a situation that feels that we are going forward.

"We don't take decisions lightly but we have a duty to all our supporters and shareholders to make sure at all times to do the best for Derby County and the decision we have taken is to go forward.

"Whether it works or not, we can all be clever after the event but we just felt we needed a change of direction."