Brian Clough - Managerial Genius

Some of you will be too young to remember Brian Clough. He was a remarkable and controversial figure when I was a lad.





He is now coming again to prominence thanks to the book The Damned Utd by David Peace and the new film of the book starring Michael Sheen.





Cloughie was a prolific goalscorer for Middlesbrough (his hometown team) and Sunderland in the late 1950s and early 1960s. His goals were all in the lower leagues and he only gained 2 full England caps. A bad collision with the Bury goalkeeper in winter 1962 ended his playing career early.





Clough then went in to management at Hartelpools (as they were called then) generating publicity for the club - and even drove the team bus!





He then took over at Second Division Derby County and won them the Second Division Championship and then the League Championship in 1972. He took Derby to the semi-finals of the European Cup only to lose to Juventus. His after match remarks caused great controversy when he accused the Italians of being in cahoots with the West German referee. This diplomatic gaffe was one of the reasons he was never appointed to his dream job: England manager.





He had a flourishing TV career and was TV's most controversial football pundit. This led to clashes with his Derby chairman and he resigned!





He then accepted the job at Leeds United - the best team in England and the current champions. He had previously slated Leeds for being cynical and dirty - and he disliked their successful manager, Don Revie. Clough lasted only 44 days.





He then went to sleepy Nottingham Forest who were near the bottom of the Second Division and not only got promotion but then won the League Championship in 1978. Cloughie then won two successive European Cups with Forest in 1979 and 1980. This was an achievement even the great Leeds Utd team of Don Revie could not achieve.





Why was Brian Clough so special?





He believed in discipline, having control of everything football related, but most of all he was a motivator. He created belief in his players.





This charismatic style of leadership is not very common as most managers in business will control, lead or manage through fear and bullying. Clough was accused of bullying but perhaps we can view it as Autocratic leadership style.





The difference is that Clough was loved by his players. They respected him and respected his achievements.





Clough was also an excellent communicator, an important role for any manager. And even though it didn't look like it to the cameras, he has excellent interpersonal skills in knowing how to deal with people. Some he would challenge and motivate to produce their best; others he would take under his wing and build their confidence.

Cloughie was also a team player as he worked for large parts of his career with Peter Taylor, his valued assistant. They were never as good apart. Taylor could spot potential in players which other scouts missed.

Perhaps Jose Mourinho is the nearest thing we have to a modern day Clough, but I would say Jose is Clough-lite.



There may be many great football managers and leaders, but there is only one Brian Clough.

To leave you this is best perhaps the ultimate Brian Clough quote:

"I don't think I am the best manager in the business. But I am in the top one."