'There will be relief the change has been made'

Former Derby County players Eric Steele and Malcolm Christie say the club's decision to sack head coach Paul Warne "is not a surprise".

Ex-Rams goalkeeper Steele admitted he was "surprised by the timing" just 24 hours before Derby take on Norwich in the Championship, but not by the decision itself.

Warne has presided over seven straight defeats in the league with the Rams now in the relegation zone and the atmosphere from the stands had become particularly uncomfortable.

"I think the fans have had a massive impact in terms of driving this decision," Steele told BBC Radio Derby.

"I think David Clowes [club owner] could not ignore the reaction of the fans at the last two or three games.

"I don't think it'll come as a surprise to the fans and I think there will be a lot of relief the change has been made.

"Whoever is going to take over, tough job in the short time that you've got, but let's hope the players will dig in and go 'come on, we've got to get a result tomorrow'.

"Irrespective of who is going to be in charge, the result is so important for this football club and we can sort the rest of the details out later."

Former striker Christie believes Warne's exit was "inevitable" with "the way the season has been going".

"Paul's seen a team that's been playing for him and wanting to put a performance in but ultimately, they've been losing - and losing quite regularly," Christie said.

"The supporters have let David and everybody know what they think needed to happen. Clearly David and the board have made a considered decision.

"The timing of it is not ideal but are people just waiting for us to go to Norwich to get beaten for this to happen with Paul?

"Whoever the new guy is in the short-term or long-term has to come in and have a real impact on this season because that's what's needed now.

"We need everybody to pull together in the same direction because at the end of the day, the fans have wanted this and a lot of people wanted this last season as well, even though Paul Warne got Derby County promoted.

"The fans, the vast majority of them anyway, have got their wishes. But now it's about the team. Support the team."