Former Town boss George Burley is widely expected to leave his position as Derby County manager today. Relations between the Scot and the Rams' board have deteriorated and Burley is understood to have tendered his resignation.

Derby are set to make an announcement this morning with Burley and the club having remained tight-lipped up to now, despite rumours of his imminent departure.

Burley was understood to have been unhappy with the board's appointment of Murdo Mackay as director of football last summer and a number of other aspects of life at Pride Park.

Mackay had been involved in the takeover of Derby by the current owners, whose precise identity remains unclear, and there were claims earlier this year that the former agent was effectively running the club.

Last month reports of a club investigation into Burley allegedly turning up to training drunk were denied by Derby, while Burley was angered and upset by the "ridiculous" claims.

Crisis talks with the board, which includes former Town commercial director Paul Clouting, were reported last week with the result apparently Burley's exit from Pride Park.

The former Scotland international joined Derby in March 2003 as interim manager following the club's suspension of John Gregory.

After Gregory's sacking in the summer, Burley took over on a full-time basis, signing a two-year contract.

Last season Burley took Derby into fourth place in the Championship without having had a penny to spend on players. The Rams lost to Preston at the semi-final stage of the play-offs.

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