The Brewers boss turned down the chance to manage his former club back in January.
Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough
Burton Albion boss Nigel Clough is perfectly fine with his decision to turn down the vacant Nottingham Forest’s managerial position earlier this year, as reports the Burton Mail.
The 50-year-old, who represented Forest as a player under the management of his father, Brian, remains a legend at The City Ground having become the club’s second highest ever goalscorer with 131 strikes in all competitions.
Clough met with Forest owner Fawaz Al Hasawi to discuss the possibility of taking over due to a a clause inserted into his Burton contract to allow talks with the Reds should an approach be made, but instead rejected the opportunity, with Albion’s official site stating that he wanted to focus on keeping the Brewers up.
However, many believe that Clough – who some claimed would have walked from Burton to Nottingham to take the job in normal circumstances – was put off by Al Hasawi and feared he wouldn’t be allowed to do his job without interference.
Ahead of the two sides facing each other in a Championship relegation six pointer, Clough has no regrets over turning the role down.
Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough
“It could’ve been different,” Clough said, as reported by the Burton Mail. “It seems a long time ago now, actually, since it was all happening. We are comfortable with the decision that we made at the time.
“We said we were going to focus all our efforts on keeping Burton Albion in the Championship, but the emotional ties of Forest and our respect, my respect especially, for them as a club will never change.
“Both teams have got massive interest in this one, so hopefully the bottom line again is don’t lose, but if we can get the three points, that’d be great. We have the opportunity to go above them with a victory on Saturday.”
Burton Albion’s Lucas Akins in action with Nottingham Forest’s Matthew Cash
Burton Albion are currently 19th in the table, with Forest two points ahead in 18th, as both clubs look to avoid the relegation trap door with a victory on Saturday.
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