Nigel Clough has stepped down as manager of League One side Burton Albion, bringing his second spell with the club to an end. Clough will be replaced by club captain Jake Buxton, who will assume a player-manager role.
Nigel Clough Leaves Burton Albion
What Was Said?
Clough will step away from the club in the coming weeks, with Buxton taking over the role once his playing contract expires.
Speaking to the club website, chairman Ben Robinson said: “Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic is having a dramatic impact on all football clubs, meaning we have to make difficult financial decisions going forward in order to safeguard the club and ensure it still exists for the supporters and the benefit of the community for generations to come. At present we have no idea when football will be safe to re-start and whether we will be able to play in front of crowds or behind closed doors, which brings a high degree of financial uncertainty.
“It’s therefore with a heavy heart that after talks with Nigel, Gary and Simon we have agreed that their departure will help us meet these challenges. I want to thank them for all their hard work and dedication over their long association with the club.”
Clough’s Burton Career
Nigel Clough took his first steps into management with Burton back in 1998 when they were in the Southern Football League Premier Division, becoming player-manager at the age of 32.
Clough guided the club through the leagues, however he left for Derby County before getting the Brewers into the Football League, which was instead achieved by his replacement, Roy McFarland.
After spells managing Derby and, during their time in League One, Sheffield United, Clough returned to Burton in 2015 after Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink left for Queens Park Rangers. He guided the club to second that season, sealing their first-ever promotion to the Championship.
They secured survival in the second-tier following a 1-1 draw against Barnsley, but were relegated in their second season after a 2-1 defeat to Preston North End on the final day.
Clough leaves the Brewers in 12th place in League One, 11 points adrift of the play-off positions.
Buxton’s Appointment
Buxton, too, is in his second spell at the club, having been part of the Conference-winning side in 2008/09.
He re-joined the club in 2017 after a season with Wigan Athletic, and these will be his first steps into management.
It’s currently unknown whether Buxton’s first matches in charge will come this season or next, with the outcome of League One still unknown owing to the Coronavirus outbreak.
It is reported, though, that Burton are one of seven teams who want the season to finish early.
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