The Apple Doesn't Fall Far from the Tricky Tree
The Nottingham Forest Managerial ecosystem.
Nigel Clough, Scot Gemmill and Gary Bowyer with fathers, Archie, Ian and Brian.
In August 1996, Barcelona won the Spanish Super Cup, beating Atlético Madrid over two legs.
On the surface, there is nothing remarkable about this, but a glance at the starting XI for the second leg throws up a remarkable fact: all but one went into management. You’ll be familiar with most of the names, the more famous being Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique and Julen Lopetegui. The one who didn’t? The captain, Gheorghe Popescu, who served half of a three and a half jail sentence for money laundering and tax evasion, but that’s a whole different story.
Barcelona celebrate winning the Spanish Super Cup in 1996. Pic: Marca/Offside.
And the manager that day? Sir Bobby Robson.
Although not quite as jam-packed with managers as this team, the Manchester United squad of 1993/94 runs it close for future management material. United beat Chelsea 4-0 to lift the FA Cup in 1994 and the starting XI comprised of Steve Bruce, Paul Ince, Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs and Mark Hughes. In the squad was Darren Ferguson, Bryan Robson, Mike Phelan and Gary Neville.
The influence of managers such as Robson, Six Alex Ferguson and Johan Cruyff certainly rubs off on those players fortunate enough to play in their teams. Incidentally, Cruyff preceded Robson at Barcelona.
Yet we needn’t look so far afield to find our own management ecosystem.
Scot Gemmill has been head coach of the Scotland U21 team since September 2016 and is closing in on becoming the longest serving coach in this role. His father Archie managed the Scotland U19 team and prior to that, Rotherham United in the mid-1990s alongside John McGovern. They presided over the Millers lifting the Football League Trophy at Wembley in a 2-1 win. The scorer of both goals that day was Nigel Jemson while Ian Breckin kept things tight at the back. Also in the squad was Gary Bowyer.
When his father Ian was manager of Hereford United in the late 1980s, Gary played for him but then forged his own successful managerial career, gaining promotions with Blackpool in 2017 and more recently, Dundee with whom he guided to the Scottish Championship last season.
As for the father and son on the right side of this picture, they too know a thing or two about football management. Brian oversaw 1453 games in charge as manager. Perhaps unbelievably, son Nigel is currently only seven games behind him, on 1446. With his Mansfield Town team currently going really well in League Two, there is every reason to believe that we will soon be living in a world in which – some of you may want to sit down for this next part – Nigel Clough has stood on a touchline or sat in a dugout as a manager more times than Brian Clough.
Although Nigel admits that “[I'm] a lot of trophies off him I know that. I don't think I'll ever catch up in terms of that!" his, Scot and Gary’s achievements in management stand very much on their own two feet.
Some Things you Might Enjoy:
Wolves away on Saturday then.
Any mention of Wolves always reminds me of this superb song by indie band, Ace Bushy Striptease. It’s called ‘More Parts Per Milijas’ and celebrates their cult midfielder in brilliant style.
Do check out the comment under the video in YouTube as the singer apologises for dissing Dirk Kurt in the lyrics in a really nice message.
The band sadly broke up to much shrugging of shoulders. However, they can take extremely small consolation in having written a song that always raises a smile, at least from one punter.
The lyrics are a work of genius, especially the line:
‘I know, sometimes I play like Palace away, but with the right first touch I could make your day.’
Enjoy.
Christmas soon, isn’t it? I can recommend a couple of books if you wish…
If you do not know me, I am the author of ‘Reds and Rams: The History of the East Midlands Derby’ and ‘The History Boys: Thirty Iconic Forest Goals’ (both available in the Forest club shop). I have written pieces for Mundial magazine, Football Weekends magazine and edited two award-nominated fanzines.
If you do know me, I’m truly sorry.
