Nottingham Forest legend Brian Clough punched Roy Keane but midfielder had too much respect to retaliate and Stuart Pearce reveals players were ‘scared stiff’ of the boss

Brian Clough left his mark on football during his legendary 28-year career in management.

Known as a maverick, he was greatly admired by his players, including one of football’s hard men Roy Keane, despite his ability to be combustible.

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He gave Keane his first taste of English football with Nottingham Forest when he signed him for £47,000, taking him from Irish side Cobh Ramblers in 1990.

While the former Republic of Ireland midfielder was a firm favourite during his three-year spell at Forest, he felt the boss’ wrath after under-hitting a back pass during an FA Cup clash with Crystal Palace in 1991.

An outraged Clough floored his player with a punch to the face in the dressing room.

Recounting the incident in his autobiography, Keane said: “When I walked into the dressing room after the game, Clough punched me straight in the face.

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“‘Don’t pass the ball back to the goalkeeper’, he screamed as I lay on the floor, him standing over me.

“I was hurt and shocked, too shocked to do anything but nod my head in agreement. My honeymoon with Clough and professional football was over.”

In an interview in 2019, Keane revealed he did not retaliate to Clough’s punch because of the respect he had for him.

“Brian Clough punched me after a game against Crystal Palace,” he explained. “Brian Clough was a genius. Did I take it that badly? No.

“He was upset, he was heated and he punched me. I remember thinking, ‘I still think you’re a brilliant manager’.

“I came in the next day and I trained and I didn’t text anyone in the media or ring somebody or go on WhatsApp and Twitter, whatever they go on, saying ‘somebody punched me.’”

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Despite Clough’s brilliance, he could not stop Forest’s relegation to the second tier in 1993, which led to Keane joining Manchester United for a then British record £3.75million fee.

Keane went on to win seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups and a Champions League in a highly successful 12-year spell at Old Trafford.

However, he still appears to hold Clough in higher esteem than United icon Sir Alex Ferguson, though is reluctant to pick a favourite given that both men regarded as two of the greatest managers of all time.

He said: “My loyalty is always towards Brian Clough because of the fact he signed me, and gave me my debut, and I will be forever grateful for that.

“So it has to be Brian Clough for that side of it, but it’s a bit silly, it’s like when people talk about [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Lionel] Messi and who’s better.

“They were basically two brilliant managers that I feel very lucky to have played under, so there’s no favouritism on that side of it.

“It’s just Brian Clough was the one who signed me and gave me my debut, so I obviously have huge respect for Brian Clough.”

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Cloughie with Derby

First Division title: 1971/72
Second Division title: 1968/69

Cloughie with Forest

First Division title: 1977/78
European Cup: 1978/79, 1979/80
Super Cup: 1079
League Cup: 1978, 1979, 1989, 1990

Nottingham Forest host Derby in the Brian Clough trophy on Saturday – live on talkSPORT 2 and of course, it wasn’t just Keane who had dealings with him that left a lasting impression.

Former Forest captain Stuart Pearce insists Clough’s players were ‘scared stiff’ of him.

He said: “I was walking through the door in aura of the man.

“Everyone who was at Nottingham Forest at the time in 1985, you were scared stiff of him.

“He had that aura about him. I’ve never seen a person dominate a room like him with his personality when he was in his pomp.

“He was incredible. You never knew what was coming next.”

The Brian Clough Trophy

You can listen to Nottingham Forest vs Derby on Saturday 22 January at 12:30pm – live and exclusive on talkSPORT 2

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