Brian Clough Quotes

A collection of quotes by Brian Clough.

Brian Clough was an English professional footballer and manager, born on March 21, 1935, in Middlesbrough, England. He started his playing career with Middlesbrough FC, where he showed great promise as a striker. Clough later moved to Sunderland AFC, where he enjoyed considerable success, scoring 63 goals in 74 league appearances.

Following his retirement from playing due to a knee injury in 1962, Clough transitioned into management. His most noteworthy stint was at Derby County, a Second Division club at the time, where he achieved remarkable success. Clough took Derby County from the bottom of the league to win the English First Division title in 1972, just two years after his appointment.

His achievements at Derby County earned him recognition, and in 1974, he was appointed as the manager of Leeds United, one of the biggest clubs in English football at the time. However, Clough's tenure at Leeds was short-lived and tumultuous, lasting only 44 days. His unorthodox methods and clash with the players and board led to his sacking.

Clough's most successful period as a manager came later when he joined Nottingham Forest in 1975. Under his guidance, Forest secured promotion to the First Division and then went on to win back-to-back European Cups in 1979 and 1980. Clough's unrivaled achievement of leading a provincial club to European glory cemented his place as one of the greatest football managers in English history.

Brian Clough's managerial career was defined by his outspoken personality, unwavering self-belief, and innovative approach to coaching. His remarkable achievements made him an icon of English football, and his legacy lives on in the hearts of fans and fellow managers. Brian Clough passed away on September 20, 2004, leaving behind a lasting impact on the world of football.