Clough story on bbc website

[dan]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21615556                                                                                    

 

An interesting read if only Nigel more or less accepting he is on his way! Just to add I'm a fence sitter and after reading this I'm feeling a bit sorry for Nige.

[Stive Pesley]

The last bit is weird isn't it?
 
"I don't think we will be around but what we are trying to do is put structure in place that will benefit whoever is here in a few years.
"The academy should almost be ringfenced and whoever comes in next, I hope they have the sense to leave it alone and let it continue working.

[cheron85]

The last bit is weird isn't it?

 

"I don't think we will be around but what we are trying to do is put structure in place that will benefit whoever is here in a few years.

"The academy should almost be ringfenced and whoever comes in next, I hope they have the sense to leave it alone and let it continue working.

 

OR the more important line is "whoever is here in a few years" - I don't think Nigel is the kind of guy who would be arrogant enough to assume he's going to have a Ferguson-esque tenure...

[Duffield Ram]

Feel slightly sorry for him now, despite my frustrations about his tactics and man management skills. Maybe if we ALL get behind him vocally at the remaining home games it could create an atmosphere to lift to players and help us get over the line. I think the majority of us like him as a person, whether we want him as manager or not!

Lets use our feelings of him as a person as a positive for the reaminder of the season, starting tomorrow COYR

[Silver]

When you put in the context of this coming after "But we don't have a short-term view, otherwise why are we looking at 13-year-olds?" I think it is clearer that he is saying he doesn't think he will be in situ when they break into the first team.

[DCFCfranco]

Veeeerrry interesting ending.

[Duracell]

He probably is talking into the medium-term future, but don't you think Clough himself might be starting to tire a little with these repetitive seasons? The Academy must be one of the few things giving him energy.

[cheron85]

He probably is talking into the medium-term future, but don't you think Clough himself might be starting to tire a little with these repetitive seasons? The Academy must be one of the few things giving him energy.

 

Ya know that Director of Football we've been looking for... The person to help out on scouting the lower leagues for good players, to liase with the youth academy and not have to spend time shouting at the first team...

 

Maybe he's already at the club?

[WilkoRam]

A really good article and sound promising for the future and puts Nigel in a great light. But a great light for youth setup. If Nigel was in charge of the clubs infrastructure and youth academy then I'd be very happy.

I do hope, if he goes, the next manager is not only better but also that they continue this the thing I think the club has done really well with over the last 3-4 years.

[ramexpat]

if he already questioning where his long term future is, he must be getting some pressure from the board

[mozza]

I would love Clough to stay here, in some capacity..

[DcFc Dyycheee]

The young players will only progress a little bit without a few experienced players with them. 

We NEED to sign some experienced players for next season otherwise it's just going to be another boring mid-table season. 
 

[G STAR RAM]

There is certainly no denying that while Clough has been here the club has changed from top to bottom, and for that he deserves some praise.

 

Re the last couple of paragraphs, I think the storm clouds are gathering for Clough as the board probably begin to look to deflect some of the attention away from their lack of activity in the transfer market.

 

A friend was speaking to Clough the other week and he is less than happy with the lack of backing given in January. I just wish that if this is the case he would have the balls to say so (even if it potentially puts his job at risk)

 

I think the 'love-in' between the manager and the board is slowly waining and something has to give.

 

I don't really see what Clough has got to lose by speaking out any perceived lack of transfer funds, he must realise by now that the fans are baying for blood so he might as well get the first punch in now before the board make him the scapegoat.

[Duffield Ram]

G Star, youre so right in above post. We as supporters will always remember him well when he leaves. Why not come out early and say what he thinks if he believes the writing is on the wall. Yes, this is from a non Clough fan aswell! But I do respect and appreciate some of the work he has done.

[observer]

People might question his ability but you cant question his love for the club, 

his loyalty to the club is probably going to make him the scapegoat the board need, 

 

will leave a lot of fans wondering what if clough was given a few quid, instead of the new manager that will come in, 

 

lets face it there is no manager around that is better or will do better without spending 

 

do we really want to hop back on the merry go round again????

[Stedcfc]

Whilst I dont think Clough is amazing I do think if money is spent he could take us up.

 

I doubt the boards ability to get the right replacement in if he was to go.

 

I dont think Nigel would say something like this unless it really was nearing the end. Unfortunately the majority of fans dont see the bigger picture and just look at the league table, and the pressure is on Clough not the board although our teams quality is probably about where we lie in the table.

[EastKentRam]

The end really is interesting, like he's saying he's setting us up for someone else to take over and kick on. Almost as if he's admitting he cant take us to the next level. 

 

I dunno, next year might be his last chance. 

[ramblur]

There is certainly no denying that while Clough has been here the club has changed from top to bottom, and for that he deserves some praise.

 

Re the last couple of paragraphs, I think the storm clouds are gathering for Clough as the board probably begin to look to deflect some of the attention away from their lack of activity in the transfer market.

 

A friend was speaking to Clough the other week and he is less than happy with the lack of backing given in January. I just wish that if this is the case he would have the balls to say so (even if it potentially puts his job at risk)

 

I think the 'love-in' between the manager and the board is slowly waining and something has to give.

 

I don't really see what Clough has got to lose by speaking out any perceived lack of transfer funds, he must realise by now that the fans are baying for blood so he might as well get the first punch in now before the board make him the scapegoat.

May not be anything to do with "balls" though.He may feel some responsibility towards the young players he's brought through,together (perhaps) with any youngsters signed up on the basis that we have a manager willing to give them a chance.If he were to come out with an outburst which he might know would be likely to result in the sack,then he might consider this irresponsible.

 

On the other hand,if he were to be sacked for other reasons,he'd have no control over the decision.

[ChaddesdenRam]

Clough with 3 million to spend would get us in the top 8.

With the current budget we will have to wait for will Hughes mason Bennett and Jeff Hendrick and mark obrien etc to be some of the championships best players

[ronnieronalde]

There is certainly no denying that while Clough has been here the club has changed from top to bottom, and for that he deserves some praise.

 

Re the last couple of paragraphs, I think the storm clouds are gathering for Clough as the board probably begin to look to deflect some of the attention away from their lack of activity in the transfer market.

 

A friend was speaking to Clough the other week and he is less than happy with the lack of backing given in January. I just wish that if this is the case he would have the balls to say so (even if it potentially puts his job at risk)

 

I think the 'love-in' between the manager and the board is slowly waining and something has to give.

 

I don't really see what Clough has got to lose by speaking out any perceived lack of transfer funds, he must realise by now that the fans are baying for blood so he might as well get the first punch in now before the board make him the scapegoat.

 

I don't think Clough is the type to air the clubs dirty washing in public at least not as directly as coming out and saying it's the boards fault.

 

Maybe the times he's come out and had a little dig about the cost of other teams benches and things like that is as far as he wants to go. From there it doesn't take a genius to work out he'd be happier if he had a couple of million here and there.

 

Anyone who has taken any interest at all in Derby over the last couple of years know that he's had a difficult job with finances tight but coming out and slating your current employers in public serves no purpose at all other than It "protects" your own reputation so that you're not damaged goods and you can pick up another job.  Funnily enough, within football I'd say his reputation will have been enhanced with what he's gone through and how he's gone about it quietly with a bit of dignity.

 

If he's going I really don't see him rushing to take another job quickly. I think this was the job for him, I can't see him having the emotional attachment anywhere else and I don't think he'd be desperate to get back to work. I certainly don't see him moving from the Derby area for football.

 

If he's going he's going. it won't matter to him whether that's as a scapegoat for the board or as a scapegoat for the fans. If he gets the sack he's a scapegoat of somebody. Let's not get wishy washy about it, there are enough of you ripping him apart on here, even you GStar have totally changed your stance. if you want him gone then keep up the criticism, the board will sack him before they quit. Happens everywhere the world over. You're all entitled to your views and I'm not saying you're wrong to want him out. That's a fans perrogative. I just don't want to see the same fans now coming out and saying "ahh bless him".

 

There was no ahh bless him when they (collectively) were ripping apart his tactics or his intelligence levels.

 

Having said that, nothing in that article says he's leaving at any point soon, it could be read that he doesnt think he'll be around by the time the next batch of 13 year olds come through. What is nice and fairly typical is that if he's going now or if he's going in three years he's already stressing the importance of keeping the structure in place.

 

Wassall, Glover, Garner, Lyons, Metgod, Clough, Matt the fat physio who's name I forget and Crosby come as team. If NC isn't going to be working or rushing to look for a new role then it makes sense for him to "big up" the rest of the staff. He won't be taking them with him to a new club any time soon.

 

Two posters on here remain convinced he's gone in the summer no matter what. I'd suggest everyone relaxes and at the start of next year thousands of Derby fans will have their wish and the good times will roll back. It's 100% certain that it's the current manager who is holding us back.