{"id":1097170,"date":"2019-07-07T12:20:55","date_gmt":"2019-07-07T11:20:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1097170"},"modified":"2019-07-07T12:27:10","modified_gmt":"2019-07-07T11:27:10","slug":"phillip-cocu-tactics-style-derby-county-manager","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/phillip-cocu-tactics-style-derby-county-manager\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything Derby fans need to know about Phillip Cocu’s managerial style"},"content":{"rendered":"

Derby County inherited another legendary midfielder in the dugout when they appointed Phillip Cocu to succeed Frank Lampard.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 48-year-old Dutchman subsequently becomes the Rams first non-British head coach in their 135-year history.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/audioboom.com\/posts\/7304751-lampard-s-chelsea-midfield-set-up-will-be-inspired-by-his-ancelotti-days<\/p>\n

Naturally, his arrival has been met with a mixture of caution and enthusiasm. Cocu, unlike Lampard, is long into his managerial career, having begun in 2013 at PSV Eindhoven where he enjoyed an illustrious playing career and lifted three league titles as a coach. But he’s not in Kansas anymore. There’s also his recent failed spell at Fenerbah\u00e7e, where he lasted 100 days and 15 matches,\u00a0though, for all intents and purposes, the Istanbul club was embroiled in chaos.<\/p>\n

Although the Championship is a force unto itself, Cocu has a chance to rehabilitate his managerial career, which looked promising, but what can supporters and neutrals expect?<\/p>\n

Background<\/strong><\/h2>\n

One of the most accomplished midfielders of his generation, Cocu was renowned for his tactical acumen, industrious style, never-say-die attitude and leadership. Growing up supporting Ajax would, in turn, shape his own philosophy. A brilliant all-rounder capable of playing in numerous positions, Cocu, for much of his career, was a dynamic box-to-box midfielder, before converting into a controlling midfielder then, finally, deep-lying creator. Versatility was a blessing, not a hindrance. He could, if his manager wanted, even play in defence. “The only positions I’ve not played in is goalkeeper and right-back,” he said.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

If anyone could lay claim to being the modern ‘total footballer’, then it was the man dubbed Pinokkio. Naturally, the concept of totaalvoetbal evokes powerful images of the Amsterdam school, though it would be unfair to label him as a disciple. Instead, Cocu is more pragmatic. Learning under Dick Advocaat, Guus Hiddink and even Louis van Gaal (who puts the team before individual creativity), and being a student of the game ensured he’d end up coaching once hanging up his boots in 2008. Consequently, many of their approaches are incorporated into his own coaching philosophy.<\/p>\n