Derby County managers ranked by win percentage as Rams prepare for John Eustace’s first full season

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As Derby County fans eagerly anticipate John Eustace’s first full season at the helm, there is excitement around Pride Park.

Having successfully guided the Rams to promotion last season, he now faces the challenge of establishing Derby in the Championship again. Ahead of the transfer window, Eustace has also said he wants to make ‘real inroads’ this summer.

With the club’s sights firmly set on future success, it’s a fitting time to look back at the managers who have led Derby’s fortunes. But where might John Eustace eventually rank among them? 

We delve into the historical win percentages of Derby County managers to see how the current boss compares and what challenges lie ahead.

Who is the best Derby County manager – ranking the top 10 by win percentage

10. George Jobey (43.4%) 

Managed 629 games (273W, 140D, 216L) from 1925-1941. A long-serving pre-war manager, Jobey built a consistently competitive Derby side, achieving multiple top-flight finishes and an FA Cup final appearance.

9. Dave Mackay (44.3%) 

In 158 games (70W, 44D, 44L) from 1973-1976, Mackay stepped up from captain. He led Derby to their second Division One title and continued their European adventures.

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8. Billy Davies (44.93%) 

In 69 games (31W, 14D, 24L) from 2006-2007, Davies famously guided Derby to Premier League promotion via the play-offs, disregarding expectations in his sole full season.

7. Cecil Potter (45.26%) 

Managed 137 games (62W, 34D, 41L) from 1922-1925. Potter briefly managed Derby before Jobey, maintaining a respectable win rate during a transitional pre-war period.

6. Paul Warne (45.45%) 

In 132 games (60W, 31D, 41L) from 2022-2025, Paul Warne steadied the ship after relegation, building a robust League One squad and securing immediate promotion back to the Championship.

5. Brian Clough (46.71%) 

The legendary Clough managed 289 games (135W, 70D, 84L) from 1967-1973, revolutionising Derby. He famously led them to their first-ever Division One title and a European Cup semi-final.

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4. Darren Wassall (50%) 

Wassall had a short but impactful interim spell of 18 games (9W, 3D, 6L) in 2016. He guided Derby to the Championship play-offs with a strong finish.

3. Steve McClaren (Combined: 51.61%) 

Across 124 games (64W, 29D, 31L) over two spells (2013-2015 & 2016-2017), McClaren brought exciting football and success, including narrowly missing Premier League promotion.

2. Liam Rosenior (58.33%) 

As interim manager for 12 games (7W, 2D, 3L) in 2022, Rosenior boasted a high win percentage, laying crucial foundations before Paul Warne took over and secured promotion. Rosenior is also on Leicester City’s managerial shortlist.

1. Ted Magner (81.82%) 

Managed 11 games (9W, 2D, 0L) from 1944-1946. As a wartime manager, Magner holds the club’s highest win percentage, an impressive feat in his brief but dominant tenure.

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Where does John Eustace rank among these former managers?

Having taken over from Paul Warne in February 2025, John Eustace inherited a challenging situation with the Rams dangerously close to the Championship relegation zone.

His primary task was clear: ensure Championship survival. Eustace orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, successfully guiding Derby to second-tier safety.

This was a huge achievement, showcasing his ability to motivate and organise a team under great pressure.

Looking at his current record, John Eustace has managed 14 games, securing 6 wins, 3 draws, and 5 losses. This yields a current win percentage of approximately 42.86%.

While this places him just below George Jobey (43.4%) as 11th among the former managers on our list, it’s important to remember this percentage comes from a brief, difficult period where his job was to keep the team from being relegated, not to push for promotion.

His crucial work in securing Championship status has undoubtedly earned him the fans’ backing as he now prepares for a more stable charge on the league table in his first full campaign.