Arabic version: كلوف يقترب من رقم مانسفيلد القياسي في طول البقاء
According to BBC News, Nigel Clough will become Mansfield Town’s longest-serving manager this weekend when measured by active years in the role and league matches in charge, surpassing club great Ian Greaves.
Clough took charge in November 2020 and has led the Stags for six years and one week, overseeing 329 matches in all competitions. The 60-year-old is the second longest-serving manager in England’s top four leagues, behind Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta.
Clough said he did not regard his longevity as a particular achievement, calling it “more an indictment of football that nobody else has lasted that long”. League Managers’ Association statistics show managers across the top four divisions now remain in their posts for less than a year on average.
His Mansfield tenure included a 12-match winless run while the club were in the relegation places during 2021-22. He remained in post, then oversaw a club-record 11 consecutive home wins before guiding the side to the League Two play-off final.
Mansfield won automatic promotion two years later by finishing third, ending a 21-year absence from the third tier. Last season, the club finished 10th, its highest league placing since 1987. Clough has also managed Burton Albion, Derby County and Sheffield United during a 28-year managerial career.
