The wit and wisdom of outspoken ‘Old Big ‘Ead’
Brian Clough was renowned as one of football's most outspoken and quick-witted managers.
Here, we recall some of his famous sayings.
On how he rated himself: "I wouldn't say I was the best manager in the business, but I was in the top one."
On the importance of passing to feet: "If God had wanted ustoplayfootballintheclouds, he'd have put grass up there."
On the influx of foreign players in the British game: "I can'tevenspellspaghettinever mind talk Italian. How could I tellanItaliantogettheball?He might grab mine."
Explaining his nickname Old Big 'Ead: "On occasions I have been big-headed. I think most people are when they get inthelimelight.IcallmyselfBig Headjusttoremindmyselfnot to be."
On Martin O'Neill: "If he'd been English or Swedish, he'd have walked the England job."
On dealing with Roy Keane: "IonlyeverhitRoytheonce.He gotupsoIcouldn'thavehithim very hard."
On not getting the England manager's job: "I'm sure the England selectors thought if they took me on and gave me the job, I'd want to run the show. They were shrewd, because that's exactly what I would have done."
On too many managers getting the sack: "If a chairman sacks the manager he initially appointed, he should go as well."
Referring to Sir Alex Ferguson's failure to win two successiveEuropeanCups:"Forall his horses, knighthoods and championships, he hasn't got two of what I've got. And I don't mean balls!"
On dealing with a player who disagrees: "We talk about it for 20 minutes and then we decide I was right."