When I called Morten Bisgaard today he hadn’t heard the news. Billy Davies had stepped down in what is labelled as a departure in mutual consent. Morten was actually quite stunned when he heard the news – but then looked to the future and re-claimed his belief in the survival of the Rams as a Premier League team.

On Derby’s chances on making it

“I still can’t see why Derby shouldn’t stay up. It’s a close call, I know. And I know we’re at the bottom of the league, I know we’ve suffered heavily defeats, but we’re still not too far behind. I’m pretty sure we’ll make it,” Morten says.
Though now playing for the Danish Premier League team Odense Boldklub (OB) Morten is still following his former team, still saying “we” about the Rams.
“But it’s difficult to follow Derby these days because my family and I haven’t quite settled in Denmark yet. My internet isn’t working properly and besides Darren Moore the closest friends I had in the Derby squad have left. So I don’t get the news as quickly as I would have without you, Niels!”

On Thelwell as caretaker

“Kevin is a nice bloke. He is a very competent coach and one you listen to. His man management is superb and he’s a very loyal person indeed, but the task he is given getting the team ready for the very important match against Sunderland is a very big task. I do hope he is able of coping with the expectations,” Morten says about Kevin Thelwell.
“He was brought into coaching the seniors at the end of last season and we all got along well. So he’s not only used to the youngsters and I guess he’ll do all right as a caretaker, in fact I’m pretty sure he will – but I don’t see him as a manager in the long run.”

On the next manager

I ask Morts who he thinks is going to take the hot seat after Billy Davies.
“Obviously, Steve McClaren would be a very good choice. He’s got the experience, he’s used to the pressure and he’s a former Derby-man as well. I’d settle for that,” Morten says.
“Or maybe the board will settle for a manager like Nigel Clough. The name Clough is almost sacred in Derby! But Nigel – though being a very talented manager – may not have what it takes. I’m sure Steve has got it. And it is probably going to be easier to attract big name signings if the Rams have got a big name manager!”

On Davies’ departure

“Well, first of all I did wonder quite a lot about Gadsby stepping down. I think he was doing a great job. I don’t know Pearson so it’s not for me to say whether he’ll make it better. And now, secondly, I’m surprised that Billy has stepped down as well,” Morten says.
He doesn’t seem too happy about this. As well as he doesn’t about the following: “I was lately quoted in the Danish media for saying that Billy is a typical English manager. He’s got the heart but not the skills. What I meant was, it takes a lot of heart to make it in the Premier League and now and then you have to do it the Continental way – when you face the big teams you try getting one point. Nothing more, nothing less. We did that in Udinese when we played teams like Inter, Juventus and Milan,” Morten says referring to his time with Udinese back in the 90s.
“But still I think Billy is capable of making it as a Premier League manager. He’s talented, full of spirit and pride.”

On moving to Denmark

“We still miss Derby. We still miss our friends there. Like the last time we spoke. But we are starting to settle here back in Denmark. We had a great time in Derby, no doubt about that,” Morten says. “But when Derby wouldn’t sign with me again I’m pleased to be back at Odense. Top flight football in Denmark isn’t that far from top flight in England. And OB is a great club.”
And Morten should know. He scored the decisive goal when OB won against Real Madrid in the UEFA Cup on aggregates back in 1994. The OB supporters are still singing his name!
“Anyway, I’m sure Derby makes it. And if we go down we’ll be back soon. The spirit of Derby never dies!”

On Morten

It is not only the spirit of Derby. It is the spirit of Morten. He is one hell of a fighter. He was close to death this summer, suffering from a brain haemorrhage but only three weeks later he was playing football again.
Nowadays he’s back in the Danish Premier League – and one wonders whilst watching Morten, why didn’t we sign with him for just one more season?!