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Clough Installed As Derby Boss

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Nigel Clough has been installed as the new boss of Derby, ending a 10-year association with Burton Albion in order to come to Pride Park on a three-and-a-half year contract.

The 42-year-old has guided Burton successfully through the non-league ranks and leaves them 13 points clear at the top of the Blue Square Premier. No doubt Clough would have liked to have finished the job and seen his side into the Football League but the chance to take over at Derby has proved too much for him, and he will now follow in the footsteps of his legendary father Brian, who managed Derby from 1967-1973. Clough Snr took us from the Second to the First Division winning the First Division title in the process and also guided us to a European Cup Semi-Final. Clough Jnr will start with his own Semi-Final, the Carling Cup Semi-Final, and will then attempt to help us climb up the Championship table, firstly away from the threat of relegation and then possibly towards a play-off place? Consolidation this season is more likely the aim though.

Chairman of football Adam Pearson is adamant that the appointment of Clough is the right one and no sentimentality has been shown with this despite the fact that he has no experience as a manager in the Football League.

‘It is a good story but we’re all aware that goodwill will disappear if we don’t win games.

‘We wouldn’t bring him in if we didn’t think Nigel could win games and if he wouldn’t be able to improve the squad of players we’ve got.

‘It’s definitely not a sentimental appointment. Nigel is his own man in his own right and he wants to create a legacy here.

‘He talked to me today about a 10-year dynasty for this football club and we’d obviously all be delighted if Nigel was here in 10 years because we’d have a fine football club.

‘We do think he brings the right style of football to the club. I think Derby County supporters want football played in a certain way and he’s certainly a disciple of that.

‘I think his man-management style, and his considered style of management, is probably what this squad of players need.

Pearson likes to think of his quality and coaching skills as a positive point rather than Clough’s lack of experience as a negative one and a potential gamble by the club.

‘You could look at it that way (was it a gamble), but his other attributes to me were more important.

‘He’s well rounded, he’s got good coaching skills and I think he understands the club.

‘The way he is as a person, and the way he holds himself, is more important than specific experience at Championship level.

‘We’ve been down that route before. I would have put my mortgage on it working for Paul, so maybe the time is right to move in a different direction.’

Pearson was talking to Sky Sports News.

If Clough can bring an exciting brand of football to Derby and get the results in the process everyone will be happy. Good luck Nigel and welcome to Derby Football Club, do your father proud!

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