CHRIS POWELL is the favourite to be Derby County’s next manager if Nigel Pearson is sacked.
The former England full-back is currently in temporary charge of the Championship side.
SunSport exclusively revealed on Tuesday that Pearson had been sensationally suspended by the club just hours before their 2-0 win at Cardiff City.
Powell, who joined the club as Pearson’s No2 in May, took charge of the team for clash in Wales and now the ex-Huddersfield Town and Charlton boss is in pole position to take over permanently if the current manager is relieved of his duties.
The club are conducting an internal investigation into after a string of poor performances and fall-outs between former Leicester boss Pearson and his players.
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The 47-year-old Powell will continue to take the first-team for the clash with Reading this weekend, and although he admits the situation is far from ideal due to his friendship with Pearson, he says he is just focusing on getting another result.
Powell said: “It’s something I wouldn’t even contemplate thinking about.
“He is someone who is a friend and a mentor but of course now football is football and we have to move on.
“That is exactly what I and everyone else has to do.
“It is a strange situation but it is a situation I will meet head on. We understand things change and develop in football and there is a due process going on.
"Nigel is suspended so all I can think about is the squad of players and caring for them. I am not even thinking about my own situation. It is about them, about the team and it is about Saturday.
"We will see where things lead but the main thing is making sure the club is moving forward in a positive way."
Birmingham manager Gary Rowett is another leading contender for the Derby board, but Powell is set to be offered to be given first refusal on the job.
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