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'In 44 days Clough ruined the club' | Brian Clough versus Don Revie | John Giles

Don Revie should have completely ignored 'Big mouth' Brian Clough in his criticism of Leeds United, according to Leeds legend John Giles.Don Revie should have completely ignored 'Big mouth' Brian Clough in his criticism of Leeds United, according to Leeds legend John Giles.



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'In 44 days Clough ruined the club' | Brian Clough versus Don Revie | John Giles


Don Revie should have completely ignored 'Big mouth' Brian Clough in his criticism of Leeds United, according to Leeds legend John Giles.

Legendary former Derby County and Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough was sacked by Leeds United after just 44 days in charge of the club.

Immediately following his dismissal, the coach went onto Yorkshire TV alongside his predecessor, Don Revie - with whom he had a tense relationship to say the least.

Together, the pair created one of the great double interviews of all time, as both men questioned each other and spoke openly about their views of themselves and the man sitting across from them.

However, John Giles, who had played under both men during his time at Leeds, believes that Revie should not have given Clough the satisfaction of appearing on the debate.

Speaking on The Football Show on Thursday, Giles discussed the infamous debate between the two legendary managers.

"He went on the debate with Brian Clough, and he shouldn't have gone near him," Giles said. "Brian Clough came into Leed for 44 days, and made a right mess of it!

"What he said to Don Revie, 'well, you didn't win the league in style'. This was all rubbish. It was typical Clough.

"I think Don should have ignored it. Clough was brilliant on the television. He was brilliant at it; Don wasn't. I think he made Don look bad."

'Leeds played some of the best football you've ever seen'

One of the biggest criticisms that Clough laid against Revie's time at Leeds was his style of play. He claimed that Leeds did not win the Premier League 'with style' under Revie. Giles completely disagreed.

"Style? What is that supposed to mean?" Giles said. "We played some of the best football you've ever seen. Later on, in Don Revie's career, you look back at some of the matches.

"We played Southampton and beat them 7-1 I think it was. It was exhibition stuff. Manchester United, two weeks before, we did the same to them and beat them 5-0!

"Leeds played some fantastic football. But they had the reputation of being a tough team. That was in the early days."

'Clough ruined the club!'

In his 13 years in charge, Revie guided Leeds to two Football League First Division titles, one FA Cup, one League Cup, two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups, one Football League Second Division title and one Charity Shield.

He also guided them to three more FA Cup Finals, two more FA Cup Semi-finals, one more Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Final and one Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Semi-final, one European Cup Winners' Cup Final and one European Cup Semi-final.

The team also finished second in the Football League First Division five times, third once and fourth twice. However, as soon as Clough took over at the club, according to Giles, he told them that they can 'throw their medals in the bin'.

"Clough came into Leeds, and in 44 days he ruined the club!" Giles said. "[Clough told the team] 'You effing lot! As far as I am concerned you can throw all your medals in the bin!'

"What a cheek! He never won a medal when he played! I played against him, he was no great shakes, and he was telling us, telling Eddie Gray: 'If you had been a horse you'd have been put down years ago'.

"Eddie Gray was a brilliant player who had bad luck with injuries. [Clough told] Norman Hunter, 'you're a dirty so-and-so, I know you'd love to be loved, wouldn't you?'

"Norman said, 'I couldn't give an eff!' This was his first meeting with a team that had just won trophy after trophy, and just finished winning the league.

"And he's going on the telly to tell Don Revie he didn't win the league properly. Don should have totally ignored him! Clough lasted 44 days and he was gone!"

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