Nottingham Forest great Nigel Clough says a return to the City Ground is looking “less likely” as time goes on.
The 56-year-old, who is now Mansfield Town boss, has been linked with the Reds job on several occasions. And he turned down an approach to take charge in January 2017.
At the time, Forest were searching for a replacement for Philippe Montanier. But a number of prospective candidates disassociated themselves from the role due to the club’s chaotic off-field situation while Fawaz Al Hasawi was still owner.
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Clough rejected the chance to manage his old team and follow in his father Brian’s footsteps, opting instead to remain at Burton Albion. However, he says he would love to have been given such an opportunity under the late Nigel Doughty.
Asked about the Forest job, Clough told Four Four Two, via Nottingham Forest News: “You never know but the longer it goes on, the less likely it is to happen. When it came up before, Burton were in the Championship and it just wasn’t right.
“I regret not having the chance to work with Nigel Doughty as I think what he did for the club over a number of years was quite incredible. If we’d have taken over at Forest, Gary Crosby and I would have looked after the money he’d invested and had a very good chance of success.”
Under Clough, the Stags are pushing for promotion from League Two this season. They are currently eighth in an incredibly-tight table, level on points with the four sides in the play-off places but just below the dotted line on goal difference. However, Mansfield do have at least one game in hand on most of their rivals.
