Clough takes over as Derby boss

Clough had been in charge at Burton since 1998

Nigel Clough has left Burton Albion to become the new manager of Derby County.

The former Nottingham Forest star, 42, has joined the Championship strugglers after 10 years at the non-league side.

Clough, whose father Brian steered the Rams to the old Division One title in 1972, leaves Burton with the club at the top of the Blue Square Premier.

Derby, who play Manchester United in the semi-finals of the Carling Cup on Wednesday, have been without a manager since Paul Jewell left on 28 December.

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Clough said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for me and one that I relish.

"I know the club inside out. It has always had a special place in mine and my family's heart, and I know that this is one of the most exciting jobs in football.

"Derby County has everything - tremendous support, a first-class stadium, magnificent training facilities and an ambitious ownership group looking to grow the club even further.

"Also, we have a terrific squad of players already here and I can't wait to start working with them."

Derby chairman Adam Pearson told BBC Radio 5 Live: "We are delighted to have Nigel on board.

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"He is right man for this club at this time, he has created a fine legacy at Burton and wants to do exactly the same at Derby. He sees it very much as a long-term project.

"There was no sentiment or romance involved in the appointment, you can't have that in football. He's tough enough to take the club forward in his own style."

Clough, who also played for Liverpool and Manchester City before becoming player-boss at Burton in 1998, faces a tough task in following in his father's footsteps at Derby.

Brian, who died in 2004, took the club from the old Second Division to become champions of England and European Cup semi-finalists during his spell in charge between 1967 and 1973.

The Rams, relegated from the Premier League last season, are currently five points above the Championship relegation zone.

Burton chairman Ben Robinson, speaking before Clough's appointment was confirmed, said he always knew the former England striker would eventually join a bigger club.

He told BBC East Midlands Today: "We can never repay him for what he's done for the club."

Burton are currently 13 points clear at the top of the Blue Square Premier and on course to reach the Football League for the first time in their history.

They have won their last 10 league games, and Clough was named as the division's manager of the month for December.

Jewell's assistant Chris Hutchings had been in temporary charge of Derby, but he has now left the club so academy manager David Lowe will be in charge for the Carling Cup semi-final first leg at Pride Park.