1975-76 Season: Brian Clough's Debut Campaign at the City Ground

The greatest manager England never had

Brian Clough joined Second Division Nottingham Forest in 1975, after being sacked by Leeds United following just 44 days in charge. He was re-united with Peter Taylor in the summer of 1976.

Quick Facts

Manager: Brian Clough
Season: 1975-76
League finish: 8th, Division Two
League champions (that season): Bolton Wanderers (Division Two); Liverpool (Division One)
Home ground: City Ground, Nottingham
Notable squad members: John McGovern, Mike Doherty

Lore & Background

Clough's first season at Forest ended with the club finishing 8th in Division Two. The following season, 1976–77, Forest were promoted to the top flight. In 1977–78, they won the league title, the first in the club's history, making Clough one of only four managers to have won the English league with two clubs. Forest also won two consecutive European Cups (1979 and 1980) and two League Cups (1978 and 1979). Taylor retired in 1982. Clough stayed on as Forest manager for another decade, winning two more League Cups (1989 and 1990) and reaching the FA Cup final in 1991. Forest were relegated from the Premier League in 1993, after which Clough retired.

Reader's Guide

Clough's managerial career began at Fourth Division Hartlepools United in 1965, where he appointed Peter Taylor as his assistant. In 1967, they moved to Second Division Derby County, winning promotion as champions in 1968–69 and the league title in 1971–72. They reached the European Cup semi-finals in 1973. After resigning from Derby, Clough had an eight-month spell at Third Division Brighton & Hove Albion before taking over at Leeds United in 1974, where he was sacked after 44 days. He then joined Nottingham Forest.