Clough in talks to remain Mansfield Town boss

Nigel Clough was appointed Mansfield boss in November 2020

Manager Nigel Clough has started talks with Mansfield Town about extending his contract beyond this season.

Conversations about the 59-year-old's future with the Stags got under way with the club's hierarchy earlier in April.

Clough guided Mansfield to promotion from League Two last season and needs his side to grab one point from their final three matches to be assured of League One safety this term.

"An offer came in about a week ago," Clough told BBC Radio Nottingham. "Discussions have started but nothing has changed.

"We will just see what happens in the next couple of weeks. There has to be an agreement on all sides that it's the best way forward."

The former Sheffield United, Derby County and Burton boss has been in charge of Mansfield since November 2020.

A new contract would see the former England, Nottingham Forest and Liverpool striker take his managerial career into a 27th year, having started out while still playing for Burton at non-league level in 1998.

Guiding the Stags to the third tier for the first time in 21 years with a third-placed finish in League Two last season triggered the one-year contract extension that has kept him at the One Call Stadium this term.

A strong start to the campaign had the Stags third in the table in October, but they have tumbled down the standings since - with a 13-match winless League One run between mid-January and March dragging them into a fight for survival.

While a point is all they now need to ensure safety, their place in League One could be assured before they take on title winners Birmingham City on Sunday if Reading beat Bristol Rovers a day earlier.

"We have Reading scarves ready for Saturday afternoon," Clough said. "We will all be cheering them at Bristol Rovers."