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.

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."