Brian Clough, a legend in English club management, has died of stomach cancer at the age of 69.
The outspoken Clough began his playing career at his home-town club Middlesbrough, scoring 204 goals in 222 games and winning two England caps. A knee injury forced him to retire prematurely, but it was as manager that Clough really made his mark on the English game.
After becoming Hartlepool boss at 30, Clough moved to Derby taking the unfashionable east Midlands club to the Division One title in 1972.
After resigning from Derby following a row with the board, Clough had brief spells at Brighton and Leeds before joining second division Nottingham Forest. Promotion followed and Clough then led the club to the 1st Division title in 1978.
The following season Clough guided Forest to success in the European Cup, beating Malmo in the final in Munich. A year later, he repeated the feat, this time leading the club to success over Hamburg.
Sadly, his career at Forest ended in disappointment, with Clough unable to prevent the club’s relegation to Division One in 1993.
Clough, who suffered ill-health for many years and had a liver transplant in 2003, died in Derby City hospital.
“He should have been England manager,” former Forest striker Garry Birtles told Sky Sports News.
“It’s the biggest disgrace he didn’t get that job as he deserved it thoroughly.
“He was just one of those all-time greats.”
