2010. Stockport County Simpson was confirmed as the new manager of Stockport County on 12 July 2010 following a takeover by The 2015 Group. He replaced former manager Gary Ablett, who was sacked by the club's new owners after the club spent the entire season in administration – with County gaining just 25 points from 46 games. Simpson was charged with the task of staying in the division and rebuilding a squad which has been ravaged by administration, and ensuring the survival of the club in League Two in the coming season. He was instructed to work with Peter Ward as his assistant manager, and former youth team manager Alan Lord was put in charge of Youth Development. Both Ward and Lord were returning to County having previously worked there under former manager Jim Gannon between 2005 and 2009. Ward was also a former Stockport captain, playing for the club in the 1990s. Simpson also employed former coach Stuart Delaney as Youth Team Manager. Simpson was sacked on 4 January 2011 after a run of just three wins in 19 games. Northwich Victoria Simpson was appointed manager of Northern Premier League Premier Division side Northwich Victoria on 1 February 2012, with Alan Wright as his assistant. However, he departed after only a month as he had been due to take up a role in Portugal at the end of the season. This was, however, brought forward to March, meaning Simpson left following the club's FA Trophy quarter-final match on 25 February. His assistant, Alan Wright, oversaw a match with Rushall Olympic during Simpson's absence. Derby County In October 2013 Simpson joined Steve McClaren, as assistant manager. The team hit the ground running and went on an amazing run of results. In their first season they took the team to the Championship Play off final, losing to a late goal versus QPR. In the second season they again had a great start, in terms of results, and continued to enjoy success. In the December 2014 rumours started to circulate that McClaren was being headhunted by Newcastle United, in the Premier League. Many blamed these rumours on the teams results taking a dive, but there were other mitigating circumstances. The team missed out on the playoffs and McClaren was sacked at the end of the season. Simpson was sacked at the start of July, on the eve of pre season training under