Nigel Clough was a successful player and a legend at rival Nottingham Forest under the management of his Father Brian and had been capped by England whilst at the City Ground. He had a big money move to Liverpool and then moved on to Manchester City before cutting his teeth as a manager at Burton Albion initially as a player/ manager. This was back in 1998 and four years later Burton won the Northern Premier League and for the first time entered the Conference, footballs fifth tier.
Careful development of the side saw gradual improvement in what is a very competitive division. In 2006 Albion travelled to Manchester United and got a goalless draw in what was one of the biggest FA Cup upsets in years. Although losing the replay, Nigel continued to help in the development of the club both on and off the field.
The club left Eton Park for a brand new Ground, the Pirelli Stadium Stadium. The club was enjoying its best years ever and most of this down to careful considered planning, a forward looking strategy and commitment from Clough and his staff.
Nigel was apparently being looked at by many league clubs in 2008. He had led Burton to the top of the Conference and destined for promotion into the league. It's been claimed by many that he applied for the Nottingham Forest job (Without any evidence being shown to back this up) by various people claiming to be in the know. His friend Garry Birtles did suggest that Forest give him a chance during one of their many management change periods.
It was however Derby County who came knocking at Nigel Clough's door. Relegated in humiliating style under Paul Jewell, who had tried to patch up a poor Billy Davies side that saw at he Rams, the butt of all jokes, Clough was appointed to stop the rot.
After speaking to his Family first, being a real family man, he accepted the position and all of a sudden there was a buzz about Pride Park. Supporters were both nervous and excited that Derby had avoided picking up a manager from the usual 'Merry-go-round' and tried a different approach in appointing one with no league experience. It's obvious that the name Clough would also ensure that he would enjoy a good honeymoon period.
Nigel had to sort out an over large, expensive playing squad, keep the club up and reduce the wage bill drastically. He had took over a club that were living beyond its means and slipping towards third tier football.
Piece by piece, players were offloaded, younger players with potential were signed from lower divisions and Nigel started to show his skills in wheeling and dealing. Of course not all signings were successful, but the majority have been. Players such as John Brayford, Paul Coutts, Craig Bryson, Richard Keogh and many others prove that he knows talent when he sees it.
I often wonder if he employs the same method as his father, Brian did during his fantastic management reign in the 70's.
So in the four years that Nigel Clough has occupied the managers chair he has -
Gotten rid of dead wood,
Massively reduced the wage bill
Kept the club away from League One football
Proved to be very shrewd in the transfer market
Shown to be very good in spotting young talent
Brought stability to the club
Developed a side that has more than one playing style
Overseen the development of many great home grown players such as Mark O'Brien, Jeff Hendrick, Will Hughes, Mason Bennett etc.
We are all human beings and like at any other club, we all at times question managers and their decisions. But be in no doubt of the following, Nigel has operated very well and continues to handle what was a thankless task when appointed, all on a shoestring!
Thank you Nigel!
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