3/1 To Win
Shay Given says he is thoroughly enjoying his new role on Derby County’s coaching staff.
The former Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper was promoted to the position of First Team Coach following Wayne Rooney’s appointment as manager earlier this year.
He joins Assistant Manager Liam Rosenior, First Team Development Coach Justin Walker and Head Goalkeeping Coach Jason Pearcey on Rooney’s support staff.
Given, 44, has been with the Rams since the summer of 2018 after joining then manager Frank Lampard’s staff as Head Goalkeeping Coach and he remained with the club following Lampard’s departure to Chelsea in 2019 and the subsequent arrival of Phillip Cocu.
Given’s progression to an outfield coaching role is part of a journey he aspired to embark on, rather than specifically remaining focussed on working with goalkeepers.
“Being a goalkeeping coach speaks for itself, you look after the goalkeepers and when Wayne took over, he asked me to change roles and have more responsibility with the guys in the team in general, which I have enjoyed,” Given told RamsTV.
“I always saw my long-term plan, if you like, to be more as a coach or an assistant and getting involved with outfield players as well. I am happy to be involved with the outfield players, team selection and set plays and just enjoying working with all the players rather than just three or four of the goalkeepers. It is a nice change for me.
“Frank Lampard gave me the opportunity to be the goalkeeping coach and I was really happy to come to a great club like Derby County, so that was great for me. The next step for me now is coaching the outfield players and having a little more input than before as well, helping the gaffer with selection and different things, and just giving your ideas on certain players and systems.”
He added: “Wayne has the final decision, and rightly so, and the rest of us are just there to try and support him and help the best we can.”
Given believes Rooney’s coaching team has a healthy balance, both in terms of their playing experiences and individual qualities.
The former Newcastle United custodian has also praised the Rams’ players for their performances and results under Rooney’s stewardship.
He said: “We have got a good mix on the staff. Wayne is a former striker; Liam is an ex-defender and Justin played in midfield. With me as an ex-goalkeeper, we have the full spine of the team.
“I think when you have different people who played different positions, they do see the game differently. Wayne has brought in people he can trust and knows different positions and different personalities as well within the coaching staff which I think helps as well.”
“It has worked really well, and it is easy to say that after the run of form we’ve been on recently. The group we have got, together with the staff and players, have to buy into the ideas and what we are doing and they’ve done that. They have been brilliant.
He added: “All the players have really bought into how we want to train and how we want to play. We might get some bad days at the office, which is part and parcel of football, but the lads have been brilliant.”
