Former Sheffield United boss Nigel Clough leaves Burton Albion to secure club jobs amidst coronavirus pandemic
Nigel Clough, the former Sheffield United manager, is to step down from his post in charge of Burton Albion, with the League One club citing the coronavirus pandemic and its "dramatic impact on football clubs".
Clough's second spell at the Pirelli Stadium will end in the coming weeks, with defender and club skipper Jake Buxton taking over as player/manager.
Gary Crosby, who worked with Clough at United, and Clough's brother Simon, the chief scout, will also leave the club.
Burton 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 added: “We hope that by stepping away it helps the club with the financial pressures in these unprecedented times, and that it will also help the club secure the jobs of as many of the staff as possible going forward."