Shock as Burton Albion boss Nigel Clough steps down and is replaced by player/manager Jake Buxton it was revealed on Monday.
It ends a second spell with the League One club for Clough, who first joined the Brewers in 1998 in the second tier of non league, before returning back in 2015 to guide the club to the Championship.
❗️ BREAKING NEWS: Nigel Clough steps down as Brewers manager
Jake Buxton to become player/manager
Full details here ? https://t.co/JsCVOuArY4#BAFC pic.twitter.com/SYfo0tBxzn
— Burton Albion FC (@burtonalbionfc) May 18, 2020
Assistant manager Gary Crosby and Chief Scout Simon Clough will also be leaving the club.
Buxton joined Burton in the 2008/09 season and picked up the Player of the Season award as Burton gained promotion to the EFL. He headed with Clough to Derby before returning back to the Pirelli.
Clough will leave in the coming weeks with Buxton taking up the role when his current playing contract expires.
Chairman Ben Robinson said: “Nigel Clough has achieved phenomenal success with the club during two spells going back 22 years. During this time, the club has enjoyed the greatest period in its history including two years in the Championship, which for a club of our stature is a remarkable achievement.
“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.
“Jake Buxton is the natural choice to take over as player/manager as he knows the club inside and out. He continues our long tradition of giving young managers an opportunity and I’m sure he will go on to be as successful as he has been on the field.”
Nigel Clough said: “It has been an incredible two decades for Burton Albion and it has been a pleasure to share those times with everyone and I want to say a big thank you to all the players, coaches, staff and supporters for being a massive part of that.
“From winning the Unibond, to gaining promotion to the Championship and then against all the odds surviving for another year was beyond all our wildest dreams.
“I have worked with the Chairman since 1998 and we have enjoyed a very long and successful working relationship and I want to thank him for all his support and to wish him and the football club all the best for the future.
“It’s therefore with great sadness that Gary, Simon and I have decided to step away. We are now looking forward to our next challenge in football wherever and whenever that is.
“We couldn’t leave the club in better hands than with Jake, who as captain has shown himself to be a respected leader on and off the pitch. It’s a great opportunity for him and there is no better club at which to make your start in management.
“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. We are sure Jake will benefit from the experience and continuity of having as many of the current backroom staff as possible supporting him.”
Jake Buxton said: “I want to thank the Chairman for giving me this tremendous opportunity. It’s an immense honour to follow in the footsteps of Nigel Clough who has achieved so much in the game, especially here at Burton Albion, and who has helped me progress throughout my career.
“I hope that I can now help bring more memorable moments to Burton Albion in the seasons to come.”
Burton’s website adds: Nigel Clough was appointed Burton Albion manager for the first time on October 23, 1998. Having left Manchester City after spells with Liverpool and, famously, Nottingham Forest, Clough was appointed by chairman Ben Robinson as the new Brewers boss following the departure of John Barton.
Initially coming in as player-manager, Clough’s first game saw Albion draw against Grantham in the FA Trophy at Eton Park. After winning the Unibond (Northern Premier) League, Clough guided the Brewers to the top of the Blue Square Premier (Conference) before moving to Derby County in 2009.
Following a spell in charge at Sheffield United he would return to the Pirelli Stadium in December 2015 following the departure of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. The Brewers finished second in League One that season earning promotion to the Championship, where they stayed for two years.
Jake Buxton returned to the Pirelli Stadium in the summer of 2017, eight years after playing his part in helping the Brewers achieve Football League status as Conference champions in 2009.
Originally with Mansfield Town, Jake worked his way through the Academy at Field Mill and soon became a regular with the Stags, becoming one of the youngest captains in the League during his time at the club.
While at Derby County, he played a key part in the Rams run to the Championship Play-Off Final in 2014, where they narrowly missed out on a Premier League place to QPR at Wembley. In 2016 Wigan Athletic moved to make Buxton a part of their defence upon their return to the Championship and after a year with the Latics, Jake returned to Burton Albion being handed the captaincy.
Gary Crosby was appointed player-assistant manager at Burton Albion after Nigel Clough took over at the Brewers in 1998.
He has since followed Clough to Derby County and Sheffield United before returning with him to again be assistant manager at Burton Albion from December 2015. He and Simon Clough have travelled far and wide searching for talent to bring to the Brewers, especially Scotland from where they have brought the likes of Jackson Irvine and Scott Fraser to the Pirelli Stadium.
Fans gave a shock reaction as Burton Albion announce their boss steps down and has been replaced…
— Kerry ?? (@KezGoldsworthy) May 18, 2020
bucko taking burton to europe
— keithy ? ?? (@442keith) May 18, 2020
JAKE BUXTON FOOTBALL GENIUS
— Lucas Akins Fan Club (@StevenBuxton13) May 18, 2020
Great decision. Clough’s Burton have picked up ZERO points for well over a month now
— Paul Mitchell (@IneffableBob) May 18, 2020
WHAT THE FUCK
— depressed burton albion fan (@jeggpl4nt) May 18, 2020
Sad but understandable news in these terrible times, Nigel Clough has been a magnificent servant to Burton Albion, good luck to Jake Buxton.
— Keith Ashley (@kaashley54) May 18, 2020
Jeez well that’s a shocker ! Good luck Nigel and co following your selfless sacrifice
— Optimistic Brewer (@markharden) May 18, 2020
YOU SAID WHAT
— Jack ? (@JackBAFC) May 18, 2020
Huge congratulations to Bucko, you’ll never find a harder more honest worker in football.. Really hope he does well…..loved him at Derby.. ???? Good luck
— PaulS (@slates71) May 18, 2020
Good luck jake hope it’s going to be a great success ?
— tom jarvis (@TomBAFCjarvo) May 18, 2020
End of an era
— Harry (@Harry89282658) May 18, 2020
— Sam Goldsworthy ?? (@SamGoldy1994) May 18, 2020
Madness
— Matt Walters (@Matt_Walters99) May 18, 2020
But all the best Cloughy & Co, we’ve had ups and down but what Nigel has done for @burtonalbionfc is amazing so #thanksCloughy
— Emma Jones (at ?) (@emmajones2324) May 18, 2020
This has come out the blue, though he should’ve done it a few years ago
— James (@Goonyella_) May 18, 2020
Sad news indeed.
— DAVID STOWELL-SMITH (@stowell_smith) May 18, 2020
what the fuck
— Che Sanders (@xchesanders) May 18, 2020
Eh?
— PompeyFan24680 (@PompeyFan24680) May 18, 2020

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