'Let's see where we can go': Nigel Clough looks ahead with Mansfield Town after six years as manager
Nigel Clough has reached the six-year milestone as manager of Mansfield Town.
Six years ago, Clough arrived at the One Call Stadium with Stags in desperate need of change.
Winless in 14 games and looking over their shoulder at the drop to non-league football, Mansfield appointed the former Burton Albion boss to hoist them out of the danger zone.
Clough did exactly that and much more. After spearheading them in consistent play-off pursuits, Stags secured automatic promotion to League One, where they have continued to improve each year since.
“It’s a bit of a blur, six years have gone extremely quickly, it doesn’t seem that long. We always say we try to make progress here, we try to move the team forward and I think we’ve done that,” Clough said, reflecting on his tenure in amber and blue.
“Competing halfway up League One is progress from where we were six years ago. I think we’ve got the best squad we’ve ever had at the club in that time, without a doubt.
“The quality we’ve brought in, if we can get it all on the pitch at the same time and clicking, you never know. It’s been a long six years and a lot of hard work but we’re going to try and keep building on it and see where we can go this season.
After surviving their first season back in League One by finishing 17th, Mansfield Town upped the ante the following season, which marked their best league finish in almost 40 years.
An impressive run towards the close of the season ended with Stags losing just once in 15 games and finishing tenth.
Such progression is created through the backing and stability of a manager who not only knows the ropes, but is committed to the job.
Clough is the longest-serving current manager in all of the EFL. In fact, only Mikel Arteta has been in his current role for longer in the whole of England’s top four divisions.
“I think the stability comes from the owners as well,” Clough continued. “We had it at Burton, when you have the same owners, that stability sets the tone. When you’re changing ownership as some clubs do, it’s not ideal, and it’s the same with managers.
“When clubs change manager all the time, I don’t think it’s healthy or good for the club. Stability is a good word in football, if you are making progress on and off the pitch, which we are.
“Six years ago, the crowd that travelled to Blackpool would have been probably over half of our home crowd. They decided to travel in the pouring rain and watch us. That’s as pleasing as anything.”