Farcical is one word to describe Derby County. The club are in search of yet another manager and caretaker boss Chris Powell is the favourite for the hot-seat at the iPro Stadium.

But unconvinced by the former Rams defender, we have taken a look at five candidates who are much better suited to succeeding Nigel Pearson.

County have spent more than any other club to achieve promotion in the last five years, whether it be on big name managers, potentially good managers or apparently good players, yet to are still no closer than before.

Smaller clubs like Burnley have been promoted, relegated and promoted again since ambitious Derby undertook a major spending spree to achieve Premier League football.

Nigel Pearson is the latest big name casualty to depart, after he almost had a physical altercation with the club's chairman Mel Morris.

These five names would be much better suited to managing Derby than the aforementioned Powell...

Steve Bruce

Mansfield Town v Hull City - Pre Season Friendly

If you're looking for a manager who has been there and worn the t-shirt, then look no further than Steve Bruce. The former Manchester United captain has achieved promotion from the Championship on four occasions and he can certainly do so once again with such a talented squad at his disposal.

Bruce recently left Hull after a boardroom fall-out and looks set for the Aston Villa job. However, if Derby had any sense, they would offer Bruce a blank cheque and bumper contract. We may finally see a promotion occur in the Midlands.

Gary Rowett

Birmingham City v Blackburn Rovers - Sky Bet Championship

Cash-strapped Birmingham have more chance of promotion than money-bags Derby and that's thanks to the superb management of Gary Rowett. The former Burton Albion manager has been linked with several moves away from St. Andrew's for many months now and Derby could be perfectly suited to Rowett.

Birmingham have over-achieved recently and smart signings added with great tactics have enabled them to remain in the top-half of the table. Rowett only has a little over a year to run on his current contract.

David Wagner

Huddersfield Town v Rotherham United - Sky Bet Championship

Derby tried the young and upcoming manager approach with Paul Clement and it didn't work. Nonetheless, David Wagner is an absolute must for Derby. Arguably the best young manager in the country, Wagner is achieving wonders with Huddersfield whilst Derby remain near the relegation zone.

If Wagner could be persuaded to join Derby and if the club stand by him, by providing him with a long-term contract, honouring it and allowing him to sign his own players, then it won't be long before Derby finally achieve promotion.

Paul Lambert

Nottingham Forest v Blackburn Rovers - Sky Bet Football League Championship

Forget his time at Blackburn, Paul Lambert is perfectly suited to football in the lower leagues. His physical teams have been capable of going toe-to-toe with the best in the business and he can certainly achieve the unthinkable at clubs.

Lambert previously obtained back-to-back promotions with Norwich before leaving for Aston Villa. He kept Villa in the Premier League with limited funds and bolstered a team worse than the one that was relegated last season.

Mick McCarthy

Sheffield Wednesday v Ipswich Town - Sky Bet Football League Championship

In the short-term, Mick McCarthy is far better suited to Derby than Chris Powell. McCarthy has achieved promotion twice before with Wolves and Sunderland and could certainly do it a third time with such a talented squad.

Ipswich's capabilities remain limite, but Derby's unlimited pockets have made promotion all the more possible. McCarthy has already over-achieved at Ipswich, so he might be keen on a fresh challenge.