Newly-appointed Derby County boss Paul Clement has said that the time was right to finally part ways with Italian mentor Carlo Ancelotti.

The duo won the Premier League together at Chelsea, the French Ligue 1 title at Paris Saint-Germain in 2012/13 and, a year ago, the Champions League at Real Madrid.

But with Ancelotti's sacking by the Spanish giants at the culmination of last season, Clement decided to take up a three-year contract at the iPro stadium with the Rams.

Of the decision to leave Ancelotti's side, Clement said: "It is something I have thought about for quite some time now.

"I have had a wonderful experience in the last six years working as an assistant to Carlo Ancelotti at three great clubs in Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

"However, I really felt that it was my time now to go it alone and be a number one in my own right.

"I have been in a supportive role for a number of years now, one I have enjoyed, but I feel I have the right amount of skills and experience to make those decisions - picking the team and deciding on the tactics with the responsibility on me - as a number one."