Premiership: Ravanelli doesn't want Derby job

Fabrizio Ravanelli says he will not take over as the new Derby County manager.

The striker had been tipped to take over following the sacking of Colin Todd.

But the Italian is not keen on becoming player-manager at Pride Park.

Ravanelli said: "I had already made up my mind that even if I had been asked to become caretaker player-manager, I would politely refuse."

Derby will give reserve-team manager Billy McEwan a chance to stake a claim for the Pride Park hot-seat while they consider their plans for the future.

McEwan has been chosen to spearhead and revitalise the side for Saturday's vital home clash with fellow relegation strugglers Ipswich.

Victory for Derby and McEwan, who has been with the club for the last nine years, could put the former Sheffield United, Rotherham and Darlington boss in pole position.

The club confirmed: "The board has already received a substantial number of applications in the past 24 hours and will be working to make the right choice for the club and its supporters."

One man who will be relieved that Ravanelli will not be in charge is former Derby boss Brian Clough.

He said: "The whole idea bordered on the ridiculous. It would have been barmy to give the job to a man without an ounce of managerial experience in his whole life.

"They would be better off giving the job to my son Nigel (manager of non-League Burton Albion). He's only 34 and barely out of his managerial nappies, but he makes Ravanelli look like an amateur."