Nigel Clough: Mansfield Town boss 'encouraged' for next season after signing new one-year deal

Nigel Clough was appointed Mansfield boss in November 2020

Mansfield manager Nigel Clough has signed a new one-year contract with the League Two club.

The Stags missed out on the play-offs by a single goal despite a 2-0 final-day win at Colchester.

The 57-year-old's deal has the option to be extended by a further season.

"Despite the disappointment of missing out on a top-seven finish by the finest of margins, there can be no doubting the progress we've made with Nigel at the helm," a Mansfield statement said.

Mansfield were 22nd in the fourth tier when Clough took over from Graham Coughlan in November 2020 but he guided them to safety that season before taking the Stags into the play-offs last term.

"Nigel is an experienced manager and - of equal importance - a man of principles and integrity," added the Stags' statement, attributed to chairman John Radford and co-chair Carolyn Radford.

"Like us, he is determined to improve on the final league standing from the two previous seasons and we will offer all the support we can to help him fulfil our ambitions in 2023-24."

Clough has previously managed in the Championship and League One with Burton Albion, Sheffield United and Derby County - and says he has unfinished business at the One Call Stadium.

"We've made progress in the last two-and-a-half years but ultimately not with the desired outcome," he said.

'We will challenge next season'

Clough expects Mansfield to challenge for promotion next season after coming "tantalisingly close" to reaching the play-offs.

The manager, who at times had as few as 12 first-team players to call upon because of injuries, said there was "absolutely tons" to be positive about.

"We will be good enough to challenge, without a doubt," Clough told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"We don't need much. If we keep most of these lads together and then add two or three defenders, we will be ready for next season.

"To get 75 points with the amount we've had out injury-wise and to get to within one goal [of the play-offs] is an achievement in itself.

"In some ways it gives you so much encouragement that you just can't wait to get going again."

Clough said even a "reasonable season of injuries" would have allowed Mansfield to reach the play-offs for a second successive year, having been beaten in the Wembley final by Port Vale 12 months ago.

"We will have a proper pre-season, which we didn't have last year," he added.

"When you see how close you are, you use it as an incentive. It really does make you want to get going again as soon as possible."