Clough Till 2015 - "There is nowhere else we would want to be"
Monday, 17th Oct 2011 13:40 by Daniel J Sewart

Derby County and Nigel Clough have confirmed their recent assertions that the marriage of club and manager is a long term commitment after announcing today that Nigel and his team have signed until 2015.

Nigel had stated recently that negotiations had been under way and that it was just as important that he secure his back room team’s future as well as his own.

The official site confirmed that as of today Gary Crosby, Johnny Metgod, Martin Taylor and Andy Garner have all re-signed along with Nigel in a deal that keeps the group together at DCFC until the summer of 2015.

Nigel Clough gave his reaction to the new deal on the official site:

"We are all delighted that our futures have been sorted out and that we have to opportunity to continue the work of the last two and half years of trying to improve this Club. From day one we knew this was going to be a long term project and it is still very much a work in progress.”

"This new deal is not about any individual, it is about a collective effort from a group of people who have worked extremely hard to change the culture and mentality of the football side from top to bottom. We have shared values throughout the organisation of working hard every day and making sure everyone gives their best, which is exactly what the fans deserve and demand from anyone lucky enough to represent Derby County.”

"We are seeing signs of improvement all the time now, at every level of the Club, and we believe there are some good times ahead of us. Our commitment to Derby County has never been in question.”

"We all love working here and care passionately about bringing success to the supporters who have remained so loyal during some difficult times. There is nowhere else we would want to be."

"When we started this journey in January 2009 we knew it would be a bit bumpy along the way as we looked to move various players on and wait for the youngsters to come through the Academy. We will try to stick to the principles we've tried to implement, not always successfully, over the last two and a half years to get the sort of honesty we are seeing out on the pitch at the moment.”

"That's the mentality we want right the way through the club and we hope the fans are pleased with the progress we are making and the direction in which the Club is going. We know we've not made it yet, but we're going in the right direction."

"Normally fans only see and hear from the manager in the press but behind closed doors it is very much a collective effort and the backroom team are a very big part of things, everyone has an input at all levels and they're a crucial part of the management team and set-up here at Derby County.”

Though there have been times that many fans have doubted whether Nigel was the man to take the Rams forward – I think that the recent signings he has made along with the start to the season – gives a good case why he needs the time the club has now afforded him.

The likes of Hendrick and O’Brien coming through into the first team this season alongside bargain buys such as Bryson, Bailey, Brayford, Davies and Ward more than prove he has an eye for talent – albeit on a strict budget.

Time is something rarely afforded a manager but when bags of cash are not afforded to him either then time is something he will need. DCFC has now given him that time and with Nigel building the team he wants - the patience that the club has shown in him should also be shown to him by the fans. You get the feeling even those who once wanted him gone are starting to come around as the hard work seems to be bearing fruit.

Yes it would be nice to see a little more support to be handed to him financially but whether the club provides it or not - Nigel should be applauded for the massive task he has undertaken and the top to bottom strengthening he and his team have undertaken.

In a time that clubs look for an ‘easy fix’ - it seems Nigel Clough is one manager determined to ensure that if and when the Rams return to the big time they will be more than ready to not just compete but have developed a structure that will enable Derby County to compete for years to come.

Congratulations to Nigel and his team - onwards and upwards!