NEW Derby County manager Nigel Clough is under no illusions about the size of the task he faces at Pride Park.

"It's a very big job," said Clough who has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract.

"The last 18 months to two years have been quite unstable at the club in a lot of ways. You've seen the results," he added.

"There have been a lot of players passing through and a lot still there.

"When you've got a playing squad of around 38 players, that's too big for anybody, really, so that's one of the jobs."

Youth team coach David Lowe and Academy coach Brian Borrows will take the team for tonight's home Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester United, but Clough will be at the game.

Caretaker boss Chris Hutchings, who was Paul Jewell's assistant, has left the club and Clough plans to bring in Gary Crosby, Andy Garner and Martin Taylor, who worked with him at Burton Albion.

Crosby was his assistant at the Pirelli, and Garner and Taylor – both ex-Rams players – part of the coaching team.

"The backroom staff will be sorted out in the next few days. Andy Garner, Martin Taylor and Gary Crosby are coming with me, I hope, but there are one or two things to iron out and we'll sort that out in the next few days," said Clough .

Responding to a question about the strength of his feelings for Derby County, Clough pointed out that the city had almost always been his home, wherever his legendary father, Brian had been managing.

"I've lived in Derby 40 years, so there's a connection there. It makes you aware of the club and what it means to people," he said.

"We went over to Forest for a long time but this is where we've lived, so you're always aware of certain things going on at the club.

"Am I a Derby fan? I'm not a fan of anybody, really. When you work in the industry, you're not a fan, really.

"I think, as we were growing up, we supported the teams my dad managed."

He then joked: "We drew the line at Leeds! Except for a brief period – but we're pleased it was only brief!"

Adam Pearson, Derby's chairman of football, believes Clough has all the qualities to succeed.

"He's a strong individual and has got a presence about him," he said.

"I have been very impressed with him – firm but fair, a thoughtful, intelligent manager.

"I think he has picked up certain attributes and traits from his father. Others he has moulded himself, through his experience and his own personality.

"He is very much his own man. "Is his lack of Football League management experience an issue? Not to me.

"Nigel has been a Premier League player at the highest level, he has the respect of all the footballers I have met and he can handle himself in any environment.

"That is key. I think if you are taking a non-League manager who hasn't got that presence or experience, then that's slightly different.

"But this gentleman, I think, has managed at Conference level because he chose to create a legacy and a dynasty at one club and now he feels the time is right to do so on a bigger stage."

Pearson said Derby had agreed "appropriate compensation" with Burton for Clough and have committed to playing them in pre-season friendlies for the next three years.