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Phillip Cocu is the subject of as much pity as he is criticism from Derby County supporters. The club’s poor start to the season got worse on Tuesday, with a 1-0 defeat to Huddersfield Town.

Had his management career continued the way it went with PSV then there’s a good chance he would have been managing a team in European competition this week, rather than clinging on at a club 21st in the Championship.

When the Dutchman took over at Derby, the media in his own country were concerned. Having gone through a complete nightmare at Fenerbahce, largely not of his own doing, there was worry he may not get the backing required at the English club.

And that’s the slant being pushed in the Netherlands now, with Dutch newspaper AD saying Cocu ‘faces dismissal’ at Derby, and that his job is ‘hanging by a thread’.

They believe he ‘didn’t stand a chance’ this season, being forced to rely so much on young players. Those he was allowed to bring in haven’t been of the required standard, and AD believe failure was just a matter of time.

After the axe falls, it will be interesting to see what Cocu says to the Dutch media when inevitably quizzed on his Derby woes.