Cloughie: Walking on Water

by Brian Clough

Brian Clough, arguably Britain's greatest ever football manager, died in September 2004 at the age of 69. His passing was marked by a minute's silence at both the Derby County and Nottingham Forest grounds and provoked a wave of tributes from across the sporting spectrum. A memorial service due to be held at Derby Cathedral had to be moved to Pride Park to accommodate the fans' demand for tickets. This overwhelming affection and respect was fully deserved for the man who was often described as being controversial, outspoken and opinionated. His achievements in football speak for he took two lowly Midlands sides to the very top, winning two consecutive European Cups, with unfashionable Nottingham Forest, in a feat that will surely never be matched by a club of similar stature.

This special edition contains two new chapters, written shortly before he died, which offer his candid and entertaining views on club directors and chairmen and on Newcastle's treatment of Sir Bobby Robson, as well as his scathing analysis of England's recent performances. Cloughie also talks honestly about his battles with alcohol and the liver transplant that gave him 21 months of health and happiness.

Genres: Nonfiction

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 27, 2014

Reviews

[Leo . · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah! Brian Clough. Definitely no yes man. Anecdotes and opinions. I loved Cloughie, self confessed 'old big head.'. If he wanted to say something he did. They say he had no filter but he was just honest. Brian had no time for the red tape and dark suits that interfere with the beautiful game. Like Bill Shankley he was a great football manager. When he was at Nottingham Forest he had so much success. Just like Shankley did at Liverpool eventually handing over the reins to Bob Paisley. At this point Nottingham Forest and Liverpool were the best two teams in Europe. They shared the European Cup for five years I think. Then it was a knockout competition not a mini league like it is now. I am convinced that if Cloughie was given the England job, everybody wanted it, England may have won something like in 1966. I guess we will never know. Rest in peace Cloughie.🐯👍

[Anirban · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian Clough comes out in this book as that uncle, regarding whom it is difficult to say definitely which comes first, his achievements or his mouth. His legacy as a manager remains intact here as much as his legacy as a talker. He doesn't shy away from giving him full marks+2 on almost every subject under the sun. And also giving red letter to managers who have just won a "cup" which, according to Cough, could be won just by having a bit of luck. Fascinating, as bulk of Clough's own silverware came from those "Cups".
Having said that he is quite candid about his role in the relegation of Forest in his last season, though he is strangely silent on his role in Forest not winning a single league Championship since 1978. He is also strangely silent on Bob Paisley, that silent man with whom his "duels" put him as the "greatest managers" in a lot of books.
He repeats his well deserved success of two consecutive European Cups but strangely finds no space to mention about the man who not only won it twice consecutively but also topped it with another one in 81. Paisley.
Clough in this book remains what he was. Entertaining, fast and to be taken with a pinch of salt.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a real pleasure. Might as well be an audio book cos you hear his Teesside twang in your head as your read the lines. A few chuckles and a poignant ending.

[Alex Marriott · Rating 3 out of 5]

The rambling nature is both authentic and sad. For good or bad, what you get is Clough's thoughts directly on to the page. Not the best read, but some of the best stories.

[Squish]

Great book about the history of one of the greatest football managers of all times