Brian Clough left his mark on football during his legendary 28-year stint in management.
Known as a maverick, he was greatly admired by his players, including one of football’s tough men, Roy Keane, despite his ability to be combustible.
He gave Keane his first glimpse of English football with Nottingham Forest when he signed him for £ 47,000 from Irish Minnows Cobh Ramblers in 1990.
While the former Republic of Ireland midfielder was a favorite during his three years at Forest, he felt his anger after under-hitting a back pass in an FA Cup clash with Crystal Palace in 1991.
An outraged Clough punched his player in the face in the locker room.
Recounting the incident in his autobiography, Keane said: “When I walked into the locker room after the game Clough hit me in the face.
“Don’t send the ball back to the goalkeeper,” he yelled as I lay down on the floor, him standing over me.
“I was hurt and shocked, too shocked to do anything other than nod my head in agreement. My honeymoon with Clough and professional football was over.
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In an interview in 2019, Keane revealed that he had not retaliated against Clough’s punch because of the respect he had for him.
The 49-year-old said: “Brian Clough hit me after a game against Crystal Palace. Brian Clough was a genius. Did I take it badly? No.
“He was upset, he was heated and he punched me. I remember thinking, “I still think you are a brilliant manager”.
“I arrived the next day and trained and didn’t text anyone in the media, or call anyone, or go on WhatsApp and Twitter, anyway, in saying ‘someone hit me.’ ”
Despite Clough’s brilliance, he couldn’t prevent Forest’s relegation to second tier in 1993, which led to Keane joining Manchester United for a record £ 3.75million.
Keane won seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups and a Champions League during a very successful 12-year spell at Old Trafford.
However, he still seems to hold Clough in higher esteem than United icon Sir Alex Ferguson, although he is hesitant to pick a favorite given the pair are considered two of the greatest managers of all time.
He said: “My loyalty is still to Brian Clough due to the fact that he signed me, and gave me my debut, and I will be eternally grateful for that.
“So it must be Brian Clough for that side, but it’s kinda silly, it’s like when people talk about [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Lionel] Messi and who is the best.
“They were basically two brilliant managers that I feel very lucky to have played with, so there’s no favoritism on that side.
“It’s just Brian Clough who signed me and debuted me, so obviously I have immense respect for Brian Clough.”
Nottingham Forest visits Derby to challenge the Brian Clough Trophy on Friday night – live on talkSPORT 2 from 7.45pm.
And, of course, it wasn’t just Keane who had a relationship with him that left a lasting impression.
Former Nottingham Forest captain Stuart Pearce insists Clough players were ‘afraid’ of him.
He said, “I was walking through the door in the aura of man.
“Everyone who was in Nottingham Forest at the time in 1985, you were afraid of him.
“He had this aura around him. I’ve never seen a person dominate a room like him with his personality when he was in his pomp.
“He was amazing. You never knew what was to come.
The Brian Clough Trophy
You can stream Derby vs Nottingham Forest tonight at 7.45pm – live and exclusive on talkSPORT 2
Cloughie with Derby County
First division title: 1971/72
Second division title: 1968/69
Cloughie with Forest
First division title: 1977/78
European Cup: 1978/79, 1979/80
Super Cup: 1079
League Cup: 1978, 1979, 1989, 1990