Burton boss expects Nottingham Forest to stay up.
Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough
Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough has told The Telegraph he expects Nottingham Forest to avoid relegation.
Forest are poised precariously above the relegation zone on goal difference with just one game to go.
Either Forest, Blackburn, or Birmingham City will end up being relegated on the final day of the season.
Clough believes one of Blackburn or Birmingham will end up dropping into League One.
He said: “I hope they stay up. You look at the three teams and it’s sad somebody has to go but I don’t think it will be Forest.”
Burton Albion Manager Nigel Clough
Clough had the chance to be managing at Forest, turning down an approach in January after Philippe Montanier was fired.
Despite his late father Brian Clough’s success at the Forest and hero status, son Nigel felt that the timing was not right even though he admits being tempted.
He added that it was memory of his dad’s words that actually helped him come to the decision.
The statue of Brian Clough
He said: “When I made my debut at 18 for Forest my dad wouldn’t give me a contract for the rest of the season because I was still playing on a Sunday afternoon for AC Hunters, my brother’s team. His view was that I’d started the season with them and I should finish it too. Little things like that came into my mind.
“I didn’t fall out with my chairman but I think he understood to manage Forest would be a very special thing one day. You never rule anything out.”
Clough has performed miracles at Burton Albion this season after leading them to promotion last year, helping them secure Championship safety with games to spare.
Forest appointed former Rangers manager Mark Warburton, who made a strong impression in the Championship in his last spell at Brentford.
Unfortunately the Forest job has become a poisoned chalice in the past few years due to impatience at boardroom level and a lack of investment.
Even Forest fans would concede that Clough made the right career move in staying put rather than joining their troubled outfit.
If he continues to work miracles at Burton or elsewhere, the opportunity will likely come knocking again one day, perhaps in more stable circumstances.
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