Many message boards had been carrying the rumour that Adam Pearson will be leaving Derby County for some time and on Wednesday it became a reality. Shortly after came the news that it seemed he had done so to re-join Hull by weeks end.

I like many Rams fans will have seen the speculation on various Derby sites that Adam Pearson was unhappy with the lack of investment by American owners and his desire to move on because of it. Though it is easy to see the other point of view after Pearson oversaw two managers who spent heavily with very little to show for it except the accumulation of debt.

We may never know what happened behind the scenes but the official site gave its explanation in the following statement:

“Following lengthy discussions within the Board and investor group, it has been decided by all parties that now is a good time for Adam to pursue new challenges away from Derby County”.

This type of statement usually points to disagreements in the way things are being done and differing points of view. Whether Pearson is now looking for a move back to Hull (as has now been reported) because of these ‘discussions’ or in fact were the reason for them in the first place, remains to be seen.

Adam Pearson was quoted shortly after his resignation was announced:

"I have enjoyed my two years at Derby despite not achieving the playing success we had hoped for."

It has been an absolute pleasure and privilege to work with Nigel Clough over the past 10 months. He is a manager in whom the supporters and Board can totally trust with the future of their club”

"I have no doubt at all that Nigel, supported by his staff, will go on to be a truly great manager for this football club and create his own legacy, in the footsteps of his father”.

"Under Nigel Clough's management the wage bill is now under control, the squad size is under control, the Academy structure is solid and we have a management team in place who will take the team forward."

Lots of praise for Nigel but no mention of his former business partners, whom he was instrumental in bringing to the club. Read into that what you will but it does seem the rumbling of disagreements over how the club should move forward may have come to a head.

With Tom Glick taking over the football operations post left vacant by Pearson, Clough was quoted as saying it would be a “perfect fit”. Nigel has never been one to have words put in his mouth so perhaps he also feels the move is in the best interests of everyone involved, including him.

A statement from Nigel Clough was posted on the official site soon after and he goes to great lengths to promote a message of togetherness and stability.

"Tom is a fiercely intelligent man with a passion for football and most importantly a desire to see Derby County improve and move forward”.

"Our biggest strength as an organisation is that we are united and together from top to bottom. We share the same hopes and aspirations for this club and believe it can be achieved in a responsible manner that will lead to a successful and sustainable future”.

"This is what the supporters deserve; they are our biggest asset and should be central to all of our concerns. I am looking forward to working closely with Tom as we continue to rebuild the team and playing squad over this season and coming campaigns”.

"Along with Adam Pearson we have already made big strides to put the club in a more maintainable position, having reduced the wage bill and squad size significantly. It is important now that we remain resolute in our plans so we can push on from these firm foundations and start to improve results on the pitch”.

"No one is in any doubt about the size of the task, but we have some very talented people throughout our club and we are together."

I doubt that Nigel had a gun to his head and was forced to say the right thing but at the same time it is important that he tow the club line. That said, he could have very easily scaled down what was a very strong and definite statement about the club and the relationships that continue to exist within it.

I for one do not believe Nigel would say anything he did not totally believe and has already built his reign as manager on such principles, even if at times some of his criticisms of under-performing players had been questioned.

Tom Glick was also quoted on the official site about his broadened role at DCFC:

"This is a new challenge for me but one I am ready and eager to start. As CEO I have concentrated on improving the business side of our club, in terms of bringing stability to our finances, putting supporters central to our concerns and looking at new ways to improve the service we offer to our fans”.

"During this period Adam Pearson and Nigel Clough have been laying foundations for long term success on the pitch, by bringing the wage bill and squad size under control. Adam is leaving us with the football side of our club in a healthy and sustainable position, with a manager and coaching staff ready to take us on to the next level of our development”.

"I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am to be working alongside Nigel and his staff as we strive to improve and bring the results our supporters deserve. Nigel is central to everything we hope to achieve on the field of play and I will be doing everything I can to help him shape the side in his image”.

"The structure of this club is as strong as it has ever been and we are all united in our goal of bringing success. Our company Chairman Andy Appleby, along with our fantastic investor group, continues to give us the support and backing to drive forward, while at the same time ensuring we are run responsibly to ensure a sound future for Derby County”.

"I have never been more convinced that exciting times are around the corner for all of us".

Derby County fans have learned the hard way over recent years that words don’t count for much but the words of both Clough and Glick are encouraging that maybe this will act as a signal for things to move forward again.

The development heralds that a time is approaching when the clubs owners will need to present their short and long term plans for the future of Derby County. The fans want to know their plans for the club on the field and what investment they plan to inject in that area. To do this would go a long way to quelling the scepticism that is steadily growing amongst fans.

Now that the clubs finances are heading in the right direction, that may mean room for a loosening of the purse strings in the transfer market. No sensible fan wants the cash splashing of Billy or Paul but most do want to see some solid investment in players that point to the future. Something that lower league signings and loan deals, generally do not.

After the news was revealed and the statements had been made by everyone involved more information on Adam Pearson and his future was revealed.

According to reports on various sites, Pearson has had discussions with Hull owner Russell Bartlett on Wednesday night about returning to Hull City, whom he left in 2007.

With Phil Browns tenure hanging by a thread it is believed Bartlett thinks the return of his former employee would make a big difference to his struggling club.

Speculation revolves around such a move being confirmed and announced some time on Thursday by the Tigers.

Perhaps it is all just part of the transfer deal for Hughes that we were unaware of or maybe this current overhaul it is just a continuation of Rams history and its constant need to throw up a boardroom development in more seasons than not.

At least it stopped everyone talking about Saturday’s capitulation.

Perhaps that was the plan all along?

Photo: Action Images

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