Dealing with Brian’s legacy can help Nigel handle expectations at United – McCabe

Clough’s four-and-a-half years under the microscope at Derby saw him fulfil his initial brief of avoiding Championship relegation in 2008-09 when he took over in January 2009 ahead of four seasons of consistent progress despite minimal funds.

At a club where his late father Brian won both the old first and second division titles and put on the national and European stage, Clough coped admirably and co-owner McCabe feels his ‘big club’ credentials speak for themselves and that he can prosper amid the pressure which has seen a number of Blades managers ultimately flounder under in recent years.

McCabe, adamant that the availability of Clough following his shock axing by the Rams late last month had nothing to do with the decision to axe David Weir on October 11, said: “Nigel has handled pressure and expectations at a big club. Probably, that’s where we have missed out before.

“When you come to a big club like Sheffield United, when a manager gets here and confronts it, it can confuse and their philosophy can change.

“Carrying the Clough name and the expectation of what his father achieved and people saying ‘why can’t you achieve that’ (also) makes a man. Nigel’s a charming person, but tough.

“There were many names who if we had to turn to weren’t bad ones. But this guy is class.

“Talking to Nigel, within five minutes you are on the same page.

“Derby aren’t dissimilar from Sheffield United in breeding (youth) development and spending a lot of money on that.

“He learnt issues that pervade football clubs in trying to get wage bills down at Derby; our (experience) is more akin to Financial Fair Play regulations. He is experienced in all aspects of footballing management and expectations for a big club.”

McCabe, who says Clough will be provided with financial backing, added: “The problem in the past two years has been that at the business end of the season, we have collapsed.

“When we should have got automatic promotion we got two points from nine, and last season was a horrendous run from the minute we reached the top of the League on Boxing Day, we plummeted down.

“We have four home league wins this calendar year. Things have to be rectified.

“Nigel knows what the long-term aims are in a sensible period of time.

“But in the short-term, it’s very clear what is to be done. We have got to escape the bottom four and get to a comfort level. That’s where we are.”

Meanwhile, Blades director Selahattin Baki, representing co-owner Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, admits the whole club hierarchy were unanimous in pressing ahead in their plans to install Clough as the new manager.

The Prince himself, a self-confessed English football expert, knew plenty about the credentials of Clough and while his self-declared aim is top-flight football within five years, the immediate priority after the failed Weir venture is stability, which he feels the appointment of the new Blades boss, his coaching team and the presence of a club stalwart in Chris Morgan will provide.

Baki said: “When his (Clough’s) name cropped up, it really created excitement.

“That was not even a one-second argument; everybody agreed.

“When you are football lunatics like us, you know Nigel Clough. You don’t need to do too much research.

“On paper, he is the right guy for the job and his combinaton with Chris Morgan is the perfect one.

“I call them ‘double trouble’!

“I think our new coaching staff are very motivated. Chris Morgan is someone you would go to battle with a solid guy. Nigel seems to be the quiet leader, the stable guy.

“That is important, we need stability at Sheffield United,” he added.