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In January 1975, Clough made a quick return to management with Nottingham Forest who were an ungainly Second Division side. He transformed the club's fortunes and his first success at the club came in his second full season (1976-77) when they won promotion to the First Division. In their first season after promotion they were crowned champions of the First Division. And during the 1978-79 season, Clough signed the 24-year-old Birmingham City striker Trevor Francis - Britain's first £1million footballer. The season was rounded off with victory in the European Cup. A year later, Clough guided Forest to a second successive European Cup. It was not until 1989 that Clough and Forest would enjoy another major trophy success, this time over Luton Town in the League Cup. A year later, Clough guided Forest to another League Cup victory, this time over Oldham Athletic. In 1991 Forest reached their first F.A Cup final under Brian Clough, but lost 2-1 to Tottenham Hotspur. They reached the League Cup final again in 1992, but lost 1-0 to Manchester United.
The 1992-93 season was Nottingham Forest's 18th season under Brian Clough - and the club's last. They were one of the 22 clubs in the new Premier League, but the sale of key players like Teddy Sheringham and Des Walker saw the club's fortunes take a sharp decline and they were bottom virtually all season. Just before a 2-1 defeat against Sheffield United confirmed the club's relegation after 16 years in the top flight, Clough announced his retirement as manager.
Retirement
Clough retired as manager of Nottingham Forest in May 1993 to be succeeded by the Leyton Orient manager Frank Clark. He spent the majority of his retirement living in Quarndon, Derbyshire before moving to Derby itself.
Much of his retirement was spent concentrating on his fight against alcoholism which had plagued him since the 1970s. He considered applying for the job as manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers on the resignation of Graham Taylor in October 1995, perhaps thinking that he could take the struggling club (then just above the relegation zone in the new First Division) to the same heights he took Nottingham Forest to. But nothing came of it and Clough's managerial career was over. Nottingham Forest honoured him by renaming the City Ground's Executive Stand the Brian Clough Stand.
In January 2003, the 67-year-old Clough underwent a liver transplant, 30 years of heavy drinking had taken its toll and doctors said that Clough would have died within two weeks without a transplant. The transplant gave Brian Clough a new lease of life for the next 20 months.
Death and legacy
Clough died of stomach cancer on 20 September, 2004 at the age of 69.
Such was his popularity that fans of Derby County and Nottingham Forest, usually the fiercest of rivals, mourned together following his passing. A memorial service was held at Derby's Pride Park Stadium on October 21, 2004 which was attended by over 14,000 people. It was originally to be held at Derby Cathedral, but had to be moved due to demand for tickets.
Many consider that taking two relatively small and unfashionable clubs to such heights ranks as one of the great -- if not the greatest -- managerial achievements in the history of English football.
During these years Clough was the English public's pick for manager of England, but he was never given the job by the Football Association, presumably because FA officials were nervous about his outspoken nature and habit of causing controversy. To this day Clough is widely regarded as the best manager never to have had the England job.
