Former Sheffield United manager hailed for his 'amazing' gesture
Former Sheffield United manager Nigel Clough proved his character by sacrificing his own job at Burton Albion to save other people’s livelihoods, the 54-year-old’s successor Jake Buxton has said.
Clough, who led United to the semi-finals of both the FA and the EFL cups after being appointed in 2013, announced he would leave the Pirelli Stadium when it emerged staff cutbacks were being planned as Albion wrestle with the financial problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Buxton, the League One club’s captain, will replace Chris Wilder’s predecessor whilst still continuing as a player and he insisted: “It’s a credit to the man he (Clough) is. He realised the strains this pandemic has caused in all businesses and football is not immune to that.”
Clough, who saved United from relegation to the fourth tier during his first season in charge, was relieved of his duties by Bramall Lane’s then board of directors in 2015. Nigel Adkins spent 12 months at the helm before also being sacked - a move which paved the way for Wilder’s arrival.
Promoted at the first time of asking, Wilder then led United out of the Championship last term. They were seventh in the table - five pointrs outside the Champions League places- when the Premier League season was mothballed two months ago.
“With Nigel stepping down, he’s protected the club, and an unbelievable amount of jobs will be protected because of what he’s done,” Buxton, speaking to a radio station in the Midlands, added.
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