AliousBoth Brian and Nigel Clough hold legendary status at Nottingham Forest, but Nigel’s footballing journey could have taken a completely different route.
During his time at the City Ground, Nigel established himself as a prolific forward, netting 131 goals to become the club’s second-highest goalscorer of all time. While his achievements stood on their own, his association with his father—who led Forest to back-to-back European Cup triumphs in 1979 and 1980—only strengthened his bond with the fans.
Brian Clough’s managerial philosophy centered around focusing on his team’s strengths rather than worrying about the opposition, creating the ideal environment for a young Nigel when he joined the club in 1984. However, despite his talent, there were concerns about favoritism within the squad, which led to an important discussion within the Clough family about his future at the club.
Brian Clough Advised His Son to Consider Leaving Forest
While Brian was instrumental in helping players like Roy Keane settle at Forest, he was wary of the potential conflict of interest in coaching his own son. He feared it could undermine his authority if others in the dressing room felt Nigel was receiving special treatment.
Such was the concern that Brian even suggested Nigel should consider leaving Forest, as the younger Clough revealed in an interview with the club’s official media.
“It was probably more difficult for him,” Nigel admitted. “He actually encouraged me at one stage to look elsewhere and said it might be easier for both of us if I moved on.”
Taking his father’s advice seriously, Nigel even had discussions with Arthur Cox about a potential move to Derby County, a bitter rival of Nottingham Forest. However, as a lifelong Forest fan since 1975, he ultimately decided that there was **no other club he wanted to play for.
Brian Clough Kept Nigel’s Debut a Secret
Despite the initial uncertainty about his future, Nigel remained at Nottingham Forest and went on to make his first-team debut on Boxing Day 1984 against Ipswich Town. However, in classic Brian Clough fashion, the legendary manager never told his son beforehand.
Reflecting on that moment, Nigel recalled how his father deliberately kept the news quiet, even during their Christmas Eve family dinner.
“Not at all,” he said when asked if his debut was discussed at home. “We always had Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve because Dad was always working on Christmas Day. I didn’t find out until the team was announced at 1:30.”
Nigel also shared how he learned of his selection when his teammate Trevor Christie, whose spot he was taking, wished him luck. Brian’s reasoning behind this approach was simple:
“He believed that the less time you had to think about it, the better. If you knew the night before, you wouldn’t sleep—you’d just worry. Instead, you’d go out and play without overthinking.”
A Successful Career in Football Management
Now 58 years old, Nigel has managed more games than his father, carving out an impressive coaching career. Most notably, he guided Mansfield Town to League Two promotion in 2024, proving that the lessons instilled by his father during his playing days have served him well in management.
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