Birtles: It's time to bring in Clough
GARRY Birtles today said: "Nottingham Forest simply have to appoint Nigel Clough as their next manager."
The Reds legend sympathised with the sacked Colin Calderwood – but said it was the right decision to relieve the Scot of his job after the dire 4-2 defeat to Doncaster.
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Nigel Clough
And he believes Clough – whose part-time Burton side top the Conference by ten points – is the man to steer Forest to Championship safety.
The Evening Post understands that former Derby boss Billy Davies still leads the race for the job, having first been contacted about the role a month ago.
Alan Curbishly and Adie Boothroyd also have an outside chance, but Birtles believes there is only one candidate.
"It is not because he is a friend or because he is Cloughie's son," said Birtles. "It is because he is the right man for the job.
"He could be the son of a binman for all I care. This is not about who his dad was, it is about who he is and the fact he has the right attributes for the job.
"This is not about him following in his father's footsteps or about sentiment. It is about the fact he has taken one of the last few remaining part-time sides in the Conference to the top of the table.
"He is not like his dad, nobody could be like him. There will never be another Brian Clough in the same way there will never be another Alex Ferguson.
"But what Forest need is somebody who has what is required to get them out of trouble – and Nigel ticks all the boxes.
"He plays football the Forest way, he motivates players and he knows what he is doing. Like Martin O'Neill did at Wycombe, he has learned his trade.
"He has been with Burton for ten years and he has worked wonders. Now it is time for him to be given the chance to prove himself at Forest. It is not a gamble, it is common sense. He is the best man for the job.
"Don't talk to me about Billy Davies or Roy Keane. I have respect for Billy, but he is not the right man. Nor is Keano, who was a superb player but would be the wrong choice now."
Birtles sympathised with Calderwood, but said: "A change had to be made because Forest were not winning matches, it is as simple as that."
23 Comments
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by Pete, Staffordshire
Saturday, December 27 2008, 3:05PM
“Why can't we get rid of the two muppets who run our club MA and ND? Oh spare me the "look what ND's done" in terms of pumping £ into the club, " NFFC would be snapped up instantly. As for MA, what good has he ever done? He messed up NCCC and he's doing the same here. There's zero accountability at any club and frankly it sucks as it's us fans who suffer. Of course those two will go for BD, the pair of them would struggle to spell progressive yet alone act upon it. Why not at least see how JP does?”
by Rick, Darlington
Saturday, December 27 2008, 1:01PM
“Anyone but not Billy Davies. I feel ill just writing his name.”
by Mick, Boston
Saturday, December 27 2008, 11:53AM
“Oh yeh, forgot to mention I would like to see Nigel given the job. As for experience, Howard Wilkinson and Jim Smith both started their careers at Boston Utd when they were in the Northern Prem. Martin was at lowly Wycombe.”
by Mick, Boston
Saturday, December 27 2008, 11:46AM
“Billy, Derby You are da$n right we will be slagging BD off as soon as he takes the job. Getting someone like Davies is just another rubbish manager taking our club into further oblivion. I bet you were one of the people that were touting John Gregory for England a few years ago. Why do MA/ND never pick a manager with red blood? Maybe because they would not stand for interference from MA because they really would have the club at heart. BD (Bl$$dy Disaster) would be another MA puppy.”
by Tricky In London Exile, Nott'm
Saturday, December 27 2008, 11:45AM
“BD will be like going back to Kinnear and Megson, nasty, horrible football and his dubious track record of 'success' would guarantee nothing. Nigel may only be linked because of his name, but you can say the same of many a manager starting their career. The difference with Clough compared to a Keane, Hughes, Bruce, Southgate or Zola is that he has got some experience before taking a job like this on. And ask Martin O'Neil if his non-league experience counted for anything or not.”