Brian Clough: 1935-2004

It was typical of the man that he should have had firm opinions on how he might best be remembered. "I want no epitaphs of profound history and all that type of thing," he insisted last year. But Brian Clough, managerial genius and self-confessed "big 'ead", was denied the last word for once as British football came to terms with his death, at the age of 69.

It was typical of the man that he should have had firm opinions on how he might best be remembered. "I want no epitaphs of profound history and all that type of thing," he insisted last year. But Brian Clough, managerial genius and self-confessed "big 'ead", was denied the last word for once as British football came to terms with his death, at the age of 69.

"Cloughie" died at Derby County Hospital yesterday. He underwent a liver transplant last year after a battle with alcoholism but had been diagnosed with stomach cancer. Supporters laid flowers outside Forest's City Ground and Derby County's Pride Park stadium, a gesture that would have brought a familiar rebuke. After recovering from his transplant in January 2003, he warned well-wishers: "Don't send me flowers when I'm dead. If you like me, send them while I'm alive."