FORMER Ipswich Town boss George Burley was today appointed interim manager of Nationwide Division One strugglers Derby County.Burley, sacked by the Blues in October after eight years in charge at Portman Road, takes over from John Gregory.

By Dave Allard

FORMER Ipswich Town boss George Burley was today appointed interim manager of Nationwide Division One strugglers Derby County.

Burley, sacked by the Blues in October after eight years in charge at Portman Road, takes over from John Gregory.

Gregory was suspended by the Rams on March 21 while serious allegations are investigated.

Burley said today: "I'm delighted to be involved with Derby County. The club is rich in football history and it is an honour to be part of such a club. I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead."

It is possible that Burley's Derby could stop Town making the play-offs as they entertain Joe Royle's Blues at Pride Park on the final day of the season.

Derby, who have taken just two points from nine games, play Ipswich's promotion arch-rivals Norwich at home on Saturday.

Burley links up at Derby with his midfield player nephew Craig Burley, the Scottish international.

Ex-Ipswich and Scotland defender Burley is a creditor at a Portman Road club that has been in voluntary administration since early February.

Chairman David Sheepshanks has said that an offer was made to him before Christmas with regard to settling the remainder of his long contract.

Burley has been in contact with the administrators, but nothing has yet been resolved.

The temporary Derby boss managed Ayr and Colchester before taking over at Town just before Christmas 1994, succeeding John Lyall.

He took the Blues into the Premiership in May 2000 in a Wembley play-off win over Barnsley.

Burley was voted manager of the year 12 months later after the Blues had finished fifth in the Premiership to qualify for the UEFA Cup.

Relegation last season and a poor start this term, saw Burley, who made 500 appearances for Ipswich as a player, leave the club he served for so long.

Earlier this season Burley turned down the vacant position at First Division Stoke City.