EXCLUSIVE: Red tape blocks Clough's Forest return

Nigel Clough's move back to Nottingham Forest is off – because he does not have the proper coaching badges.

The Derby boss was the shock name in the frame for the Forest job and a return to the club where he played – and his dad Brian managed.

But Forest have had to pull out of a deal after discovering that Clough only has a B licence, one of the lowest-level qualifications.

Under new regulations brought in last summer, Championship clubs can only appoint bosses with A or Pro licences.

The rule was brought in under instructions from the FA and is backed by the LMA bosses union and Forest cannot find a way around it.

Clough has not enrolled on any further courses and is now effectively stuck at Derby, where his contract runs out in the summer. He is allowed to carry on there with just a B badge.

There is a drive to make all bosses in the higher divisions fully qualified because of complaints from coaches who have forked out for courses and then been overlooked.

The rule will have been a shock to Clough, who faces an uncertain future until he gets the extra qualifications.

Ironically, Forest are about to bring in former player and boss Frank Clark in a senior role and he has been a strong advocate of the rules through his connections at the FA and LMA.

Clark will be given a post in the next few days but has already been working for Forest behind the scenes.