Steve McClaren sacked: Derby part company with former England manager

Championship side announce manager has been fired following failure to gain promotion

Happy days: Steve McClaren has accentuated the positive in lifting Derby County into promotion contention

Derby County have sacked Steve McClaren.

The former England manager's future had looked precarious after the Championship outfit failed to gain promotion.

Derby released a statement on Monday evening saying that the call was made after a "thorough" review of the season. The Midlands club finished the campaign in eighth - one point outside the play-off places.

The statement read: "Derby County have terminated the contract of Head Coach Steve McClaren with immediate effect.

"The decision follows a thorough review of the 2014/15 season by the club’s Board of Directors.

"The Board believes that the appointment of a new Head Coach is required to continue the club’s on-field progress and the search is now underway to appoint a successor.

"The Board remains firmly committed and driven to achieving promotion to the Premier League.

"The club would also like to take this opportunity to wish Steve McClaren well for the future and thank him for his work throughout his tenure, which included a Play-Off Final appearance in 2014."

McClaren succeeded Nigel Clough as boss at the iPro Stadium in September 2013 and had the club leading the table in March, however their promotion push faded away.

McClaren turned down the opportunity to manage Premier League side Newcastle United earlier in the year.