How Nigel Clough learnt his man-managemeent skills from legendary dad Brian

Brian Clough's people skills has played a key role in developing son Nigel's own man-management skills. (Photo by Duncan Raban/Allsport/Getty Images).

Clough junior has made a name for himself in football management, most notably guiding minnows Burton Albion into the Championship for the first time in their history.

But he has always been keen to do things his own way and not simply be a carbon copy of dad Brian.

“I don't try to copy him and be like him because no one ever will be,” said Clough.

“I try to take the principles from the way my dad managed.

“The way you treat the players is most important and trying to have empathy with them at times.

“Treating players with a degree of honesty is important.

“My dad was the best at realising when a player or a team have given their all, didn't quite work out and then you would sometimes get two days off despite having lost a game.

“He realised everyone had given everything and some time away would help before coming back in to prepare on friday.

“Another time we won the League Cup final and we were back in running the next day because he didn't think we had played very well.

“We got straight back to Wembley and on the sunday we were doing a running session because he didn't think we had done our jobs well enough. That's just being honest with the players.”

Honesty is a skill which Clough has needed plenty of in recent weeks after a spate of individual errors cost Mansfield dearly.

While Clough admits that the honesty doesn’t always go down well, he knows it is a necessary part of getting the performances and results needed.

“Not every player appreciates it at times, but it's about being open and honest,” he added.

“We praise them when they do good so, when they make mistakes, we have to point that out, not in a critical negative way but to highlight what they are doing wrong and that they can't keep doing it.

“We are loyal and those who have made mistakes have played the next game.

“Once we have dealt with it we move on, you have no choice with the games coming thick and fast

“You can't feel sorry for yourself and you must have the ability to put it behind you.

“It is difficult for some players because they are very genuine lads and they feel they have let people down when they make mistakes.

“The best thing we can do is put them in the team for the next game so they have a chance to put it right.”