Shaun Derry: 'Proud to have managed Notts'

Shaun Derry will always have a place in the hearts of Notts County fans after his miraculous work in keeping the Magpies up during the 2013-14 season. Born in Nottingham, he began his career at Meadow Lane before making a name for himself at a host of clubs including Crystal Palace, Leeds United and Queens Park Rangers, proving a popular figure in every team he graced.

In November Derry was appointed Notts manager, where six wins in his last nine games and a draw on the final day of the season kept the Magpies up despite having been eight points from safety just a few weeks earlier.

After a bright start this season, results ended up tailing off and Derry was dismissed in March, but nobody will ever forget the exhilarating “Great Escape” of 2013-14.

Derry appeared on talkSPORT this week to discuss his time at Notts as well as his general career across the many clubs he’s played for.

Are you enjoying being out of management after the intense period you’ve had at Notts?

I was disappointed when the news came my way on Monday, but I am an optimistic person whose mindset is “don’t get too down and disillusioned”. I’m enjoying being back in London, spending more time with my kids and wife. I’m not going to lie, I am disappointed with what happened, but I’m looking forward.

How did you find that transition from player to manager?

It was very strange and it happened so quickly. As a player I always respected managers who told me the truth. I can’t say that I had a strategy of what I was doing because I’d come from being a player. I had an experienced assistant in Greg Abbott, and when I spoke to him I said, “I’m going to try and be honest with all the players”, and that’s what I was.

When you got the job did you ask for advice from fellow managers, or look to do things your way?

I made a claim to do it my way and I wanted to have a go at it. Older players have a strong opinion, and the opinions of confident older players can sometimes get in the way. When I was playing at QPR and Millwall I wanted to have a go at management. I was given the opportunity at Notts to state my own ethos and I wanted to be me.

How far are you in terms of doing the coaching badges?

I’m not yet on my pro licence, I’m just on the A licence at the minute. I think there’s a huge scope of improvement on the badges, if I’m honest. The badges give you a platform to build on the experience you gain, but I don’t think any badges could have got me ready for the past 17 months I’ve had.

How do you feel about having managed Notts?

Notts County is a club that will always be close to my heart. Nottingham is the place where I was born, I played my first game for Notts on my tenth birthday, so to go ahead and manage them was a dream come true and I thoroughly enjoyed my 17 months there.

Why did things turn so bad towards the end of your spell at Notts?

Ultimately as a football manager you get judged on results. When Greg and I walked into the club, it was very low on confidence. The structure wasn’t there, and we managed to put that structure ready for the next person to take control and I think in time it will be a very good football club to manage. At this moment in time, the reason I got sacked was because the results weren’t good enough; it’s as simple as that.

Derry also talked about Jimmy Spencer:

Jimmy is a talisman they’ve missed all season. He’s a thorough-back. He was our main signing and we were waiting for him to recover from his injury. Now he’s back, it will be down to him if Notts are to stay up. He’s your old-fashioned number nine. He gets the ball, holds it, heads it and brings players in. With JCR on the right wing, if they can get the right service to Jimmy, he will cause so many problems for opposition defenders. He’s also shown very strong character to recover from his cruciate ligament injury in the space of seven months, which is why I reckon Notts have a good chance of staying up this year.