Championship - Clough relishing Derby challenge

Eurosport - Wed, 07 Jan 13:56:00 2009

Nigel Clough has been appointed manager of Derby County, and is relishing the "tremendous challenge" of following in his father's footsteps.

2007 Nigel Clough - 0

Clough, 42, has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Rams to become Paul Jewell's permanent replacement, leaving Blue Square Premier leaders Burton Albion after more than a decade in charge.

His late father, Brian, managed the Rams between 1967 and 1973 - winning the league title in 1972 - and Clough junior admits the club has always meant a lot to him.

Clough senior went on to manage their deadly rivals Nottingham Forest for 18 years, where he won the European Cup twice, and Nigel made more than 300 appearances for the Reds himself.

But he insists the chance to take over at Pride Park was one he could not turn down.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for me and one that I relish," he said.

"I know the club inside out. It has always had a special place in mine and my family's heart, and I know that this is one of the most exciting jobs in football.

"Derby County has everything - tremendous support, a first-class stadium, magnificent training facilities and an ambitious ownership group looking to grow the club even further.

"Also, we have a terrific squad of players already here and I can't wait to start working with them.

"This is going to be a tremendous challenge."

Clough had spent 10 years with Burton, taking them from the Southern League to the top of the non-league pyramid, and also led his team to an FA Cup third-round replay against Barclays Premier League giants Manchester United in 2006.

And Rams chairman Adam Pearson believes Clough is the right man to lead the club to a brighter future.

"Nigel is the ideal choice at this time," said Pearson. "It is going to be a great challenge for him and all of us at Derby County but one that we are all looking forward to.

"His track record at Burton is top-drawer and he has improved their standing every season he has been at the club, along with being an excellent man manager.

"It is that kind of progress we are looking for now - someone to grow with the club and lead us in the long term towards success.

"We have a great squad of players here and Nigel is capable of getting the very best out of them and playing a style of football the supporters want to see.

"Also, he understands this football club and what it means to the people of Derby better than anyone else in the game."

Clough takes over with the Rams - who were relegated last season - down in 18th place in the Coca-Cola Championship, just five points above the drop zone.

His first game in charge will be on Saturday when County travel to face Cardiff, with academy director David Lowe at the helm for tomorrow night's Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester United after caretaker boss Chris Hutchings - who had been assistant to Jewell before his departure last month - left the club following Clough's appointment.

Sporting Life / Eurosport

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  1. derby 1 man u zero

    From butchkins, on Wed 7 Jan 10:04PM
  2. derby are the crapest team in the world man utd just allowed them just for them to get happy aint that right watch if man u put on ronaldo,rooney,giggsand carrick derby wouid be in danger they would lose about 3-1 ANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD MAN U RULE there the best team in the world.................................................. ....................................................... ....................................................... ....................................................... ..

    From Abu Hanif, on Wed 7 Jan 9:05PM
  3. good luck nigel, been watching your progress , for a while now , yes you deserve the chance , would of liked to have seen you take burton up and up and up . but , when the piper calls , u gotta go or you'll always wonder what if.
    never mind what your old man did , you are you own man , go get em !!!!!!

    From TERRY S, on Wed 7 Jan 6:38PM
  4. So remind me Simon F where are Leeds now and who do you think you are commenting on a legend. I vaguely remember this Revie bloke but only when some one mentions him. I work all over the world and every one knows Brian Clough.Not too many have heard of this Reevie dood.

    Good luck Nigel

    From Ian, on Wed 7 Jan 6:24PM
  5. Well done Nigel.

    From Monty, on Wed 7 Jan 1:31PM
  6. Marvellous stuff!! Can't wait to see how he does!! Fingers crossed it's not a step too far for him!!

    From Andrew Smith, on Wed 7 Jan 1:24PM
  7. Well done Nigel we are all looking forward to seeing football played again we are all right behind you with our support its great having another cloughie managing the Rams
    Your dad will be looking down on you giving you support and be very proud as well.
    good luck .nigel cloughs black and white army up the Rams

    From ali.darling, on Wed 7 Jan 1:13PM
  8. Simon f from Leeds, you wouldn't know a decent manager if he jumped up and bit you on the nose. how can you slag-off one of the greatest managers this country has produced. Don revie's Leeds where the most hated team of the seventies, not because of their success but, because they were filthy fouling scum. don revie then went on to show his true colours as England manager by failing miserably and scarpering out of the country in shame.
    Cloughie was a legend and, hopefully, his son will follow in the great mans footsteps.

    From melanie k, on Wed 7 Jan 12:55PM
  9. Best of Luck Nigel. In my whole life and I am retired now, nothing gave me more pleasure and pure excitement as those great times at the Baseball Ground and at the away games when your Dad had Derby playing some electrifying football. As you walked down to the ground to watch the Rams the atmosphere was tremendous. He then went on to do the same for the Forest fans. Our loss was there gain and I have a lot of sympathy for the Brewers fans for whom Nigel has achieved so much in the last ten years. I know that there are thousands out there Derby, Forest and Burton Albion fans alike who will all wish him the very best future and thank you you Brewers for giving him 10 years to learn his trade. One day I think like Holty above , that provided clubs are reasonably patient and given the luck that anyone needs to be successful, he will go one better than his Dad and become England manager. Someone up there in an old green tracksuit top would be really proud of that.

    From Kev, on Wed 7 Jan 11:40AM
  10. Im a FOREST FAN and as much as id of liked to of seen Niigel Clough at Forest, it wasnt to be.
    His Dad was the greatest English manager ever to of lived ans steep FOREST in HISTORY. Would just like to say good luck to Nigel, cuz come the next round of the cup Derby will be knocked out of it at the hands of FOREST.

    From stuart, on Wed 7 Jan 9:08AM
  11. Bet he's a nicer chap than his dad was and does not hide in a bottle when things arn't going his way!

    From Perry Neeham, on Wed 7 Jan 8:38AM
  12. Good luck, Nigel. Do well with Derby and, if possible, takeover at Forest.

    From Thomas Mpofu Maswelindawo, on Wed 7 Jan 8:27AM
  13. As a Red Devil I'd just like to add my congrats to Nigel; he's served his apprenticeship as a manager & time to move up.
    I hope he and Derby will be in the Prem soon, way to go!

    From optimus prime, on Wed 7 Jan 7:16AM
  14. WELL NIGEL..YOUR TIME HAS COME...AND YOU REALLY DO DESERVE THE CHANCE THAT DERBY COUNTY ARE GIVING YOU..I BELEIVE YOU CAN DO THE JOB..AFTER ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE AT BURTON I THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART..BUT NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO STOP SOMEONE MOVING FORWARD AND UPWARD..TO HELL WITH THE PRESS NIGEL YOU DO IT YOUR WAY..DERBY COUNTY ARE SO LUCKY..GOOD LUCK MAN...GRAHAM ALSTON.

    From grahamalstonforever, on Wed 7 Jan 6:38AM
  15. cloughie did us proud at the brewers and it is a job he has always wanted so good luck with your job at the rams and up the brewers

    From neil., on Wed 7 Jan 5:04AM
  16. Shrewd family the Cloughs. Daddy learnt the managerial apprenticeship at Hartlepool, as has Jnr at Burton Albion. Now really what apprenticeship did Keane, Ince etc really serve ? For the last 10 years he has kept his head down, learnt his trade, done well and now he is moving up. Caould you imagine Keane doing that ? Even Fergie started out learning the management business out of the spotlight.

    Good luck Cloughie make the old man smile !

    From Richard, on Wed 7 Jan 3:54AM
  17. Good luck Nigel, you are a top man, everybody is behind you!!

    From davidbosworth, on Wed 7 Jan 3:51AM
  18. nigel will end up at forest....when we play them at home in the fa cup.....beating them 5.0.....thats the only time he will be there.....come on nigel do us proud

    From dunnlinebuscoach, on Wed 7 Jan 2:14AM
  19. Simon F, you are a typical leeds prat!! To say "i disliked cloughie" when he was at Forest and Derby is to dismiss the greatest english manager bar none! your arrogance astounds me, he was right to dismiss the Leeds players medals to the bin when he took over as they were tainted by cheating. You say you are sad and embarassed to be a yorkie-im sure cloughie wont lose too much heavenlky slumber over your pathetic rant, and this comes from a mackem but one who realises genius when its in front of my fizhog!"

    From colin, on Wed 7 Jan 2:13AM
  20. Cloughie is back..Cloughie is back..fantastic news, a Ram through and through just like his dad. Cloughie senior never wanted to leave Derby [read his autobiography ], and throughout his time at Scumville lived in Derby and commuted to the florists.
    Nigel is an advocate of proper football, played on the ground with skill, pace, thought , movement and total commitment and belief. He will become a legend in his own right, The Rams will rise again..All power to The Sheepshag Army!!
    From Art, ex Ilson now slumming it in Florida!

    From sue_severn, on Wed 7 Jan 1:25AM
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