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| Burton Mail, Tuesday 20th April 1999 |
| 'Notts going anywhere' |
| Nigel Clough
today pledged his immediate future to Burton Albion and dismissed reports
linking him with a move back to Nottingham Forest, as part of a managerial
dream team with Stuart Pearce as "Paper Talk". Forest will be relegated if Charlton beat Spurs tomorrow, with current boss Ron Atkinson seemingly certain to leave, and Clough's name has been linked in this morning's national press with a club looking to bring back the glory days of when his father Brian was in charge. But Clough Junior today insisted that the only thing on his mind was bringing success to Eton Park and winning promotion to the Nationwide Conference. Said the Brewers boss: "I've heard nothing at all about it, and as far as I'm concerned it's all paper talk, they've already got a manager haven't they? People put two and two together but I am extremely happy at Burton Albion and I just want to finish the job here.It's not worth talking about. I don't like talking about another manager's job and I wouldn't like it if they talked about my job." Asked if the Forest job wold appeal to him some way down the line Clough said: "It's hypothetical. I have got to get success at Burton Albion, if I don't there will be no down the line." But while he dismissed claims about his own future, Clough said he thought former Forest team mate Stuart Pearce would be a worthy candidate. "From a supporters point of view he would be ideal. They need something to give the supporters a boost and get the fans back, but it is difficult to say if he would be a good manager because of his inexperience. He was an inspiration on the pitch and I'm sure he would be as a manager." "But I am just looking forward to next season, and with Nuneaton out of the way the division should be much tighter, and I want us to be challenging." Said Brewers Chairman Ben Robinson: "From day one, given Nigel Clough's profile, we always knew it would only be a question of time, that given any reasonable degree of success, he would move to a much bigger club." "But I've no knowledge of any approach from Nottingham Forest and assume it's merely national newspaper speculation." top |
| The Mirror, Tuesday 20th April 1999 |
| 'Cloughie's comeback' |
| Cloughie is
set for an amazing return to Nottingham Forest. No, not legendary boss Brian,
but his son Nigel. With short-term manager Ron Atkinson heading for the exit
door, relegated Forest are already considering candidates to fill their hot
seat. And ex-England striker Nigel, now in charge of non-League Burton Albion,
looks like being one name on the list. A Clough dynasty will be created at the City Ground if 33-year-old Nigel gets the job, possibly in partnership with Stuart Pearce. His dad led Forest to undreamed of heights, turning the unfashionable East Midlands club into champions and then twice European Cup winners. Brilliant With four League Cup triumphs on top, the mere mention of Clough will fire the imagination of many depressed Forest fans. New chairman Eric Barnes said: "Like every supporter, I will never forget the marvellous era we enjoyed under Brian. Sadly, I don't think Forest can ever be capable of lifting the European Cup again, because so much of what we achieved was due to Brian's brilliance. "But don't forget there is now another Clough making his way if football management in the shape of Nigel." When England full-back Pearce was placed in charge of Forest for six months in 1997, he took Clough junior on loan from Manchester City as his assistant. Both left at the end of that season, with Forest again relegated, Pearce joining Newcastle on a £20,000-a-week contract. But after City paid off Nigel, young Clough stepped into management on his own at Dr Martens League side Burton last September. And despite going eight games before celebrating his first victory, Nigel has steered Burton towards safety with only four defeats in 19 matches. With 60-year-old Big Ron on the way out, millionaire Barnes is determined to bring in a younger breed of leadership. Clough or Pearce, 37 next Saturday, and perhaps both, could fit the bill despite their lack of experience top |
| Soccernet, Tuesday 20th April 1999 |
| 'Clough is a target for Pearce double act' |
| Nottingham
Forest could go for a managerial dream team of Stuart Pearce and Nigel Clough
in a bid to banish the relegation blues. The club's Premiership fate will
be sealed if Charlton beat Spurs at home tonight, and Ron is expected to
leave at the end of the season after failing to avoid the drop. New chairman Eric Barnes has already promised: "We will make significant appointments that will bring stability to the club." The 66-year-old lifelong fan, who experienced the European Cup-winning halcyon days, said: "I was a fan when Brian Clough was in charge and, while I don't think we will get back to the days when we were winning European Cups, it is still possible for Forest to return to the Premiership. "Don't forget there is another Clough - Nigel - who is making his way in management with Burton Albion. I know he and Stuart Pearce enjoyed themselves when they returned to Forest to play in Steve Chettle's testimonial." Pearce will be available - his playing contract at Newcastle ends this summer. He plans to concentrate exclusively on management in contrast to his previous caretaker spell at Forest. Young Clough is nine months into a three-year contract with Burton in the Dr Martens League. |
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