Post by john07 on Nov 11, 2021 2:09:28 GMT
In 1973, Malcolm Allison left Manchester City for Crystal Palace and at around the same time Brian Clough walked out off or was sacked by Derby County. The obvious solution was for Clough to come to Manchester City. It was a perfect fit. Maybe too perfect. City had just appointed a meglamaniac Chairman in Peter Swales. He was noted for his 'comb-over' hair style and his 'cuban heels' footware. He remained there for twenty years and set City on a downward spiral that took them from regular contenders for honours to a decline that would take them to the Third Division.
The obvious move for Clough never happened. Instead City appointed Ron Saunders whose dire style of football turned off the fans. Brian Clough and his assistant Peter Taylor went to Brighton and Hove Albion. Saunders did not last long at City as the fand would not stomach his negative. Clough had a brief spell at Leeds before being sacked and ended up at Second Division Nottingham Forest. He was joined by Peter Taylor and Forst won promotion to the First Division, took a League Championship, two European Cups and numerous League Cups.
Meanwhile City, despite winning a League Cup in 1976, could not sustain this despite being there or there abouts through to the early 1980s. Evantually the decline set in with relegation.
Given what Clough achieved at Derby and Forest, can anyone doubt that he could have done wonders with City. The only question, is could he have done it with Swales as chairman? There clearly would not have been room for two egos the size of Clough and Swales in one club. Had Clough been appointed and seen off the recently appointed Swales, this could have seen the emergence of City as the dominent team in England?
The obvious move for Clough never happened. Instead City appointed Ron Saunders whose dire style of football turned off the fans. Brian Clough and his assistant Peter Taylor went to Brighton and Hove Albion. Saunders did not last long at City as the fand would not stomach his negative. Clough had a brief spell at Leeds before being sacked and ended up at Second Division Nottingham Forest. He was joined by Peter Taylor and Forst won promotion to the First Division, took a League Championship, two European Cups and numerous League Cups.
Meanwhile City, despite winning a League Cup in 1976, could not sustain this despite being there or there abouts through to the early 1980s. Evantually the decline set in with relegation.
Given what Clough achieved at Derby and Forest, can anyone doubt that he could have done wonders with City. The only question, is could he have done it with Swales as chairman? There clearly would not have been room for two egos the size of Clough and Swales in one club. Had Clough been appointed and seen off the recently appointed Swales, this could have seen the emergence of City as the dominent team in England?
