Brian Clough admits years of drinking have taken their toll

Clough told Radio Five Live he wanted to thank fans who sent messages of support to him since his operation in January.

The 68-year-old, who lives in Derby, spoke frankly about his alcohol abuse, which he has blamed for his health problems.

The two-time European Cup winner also admitted the drinking "must have" affected his managerial career.

Clough, who is known fondly as "Cloughie", is a well-loved figure in the East Midlands.

He led Derby County to the league championship in 1972 and local rivals Nottingham Forest to two European Cup victories in 1979 and 1980.

But he said he had received messages of support from further afield.

You want to thank everybody for giving what everybody describes as a second chance Brian Clough Listen to Brian Clough's interview

"People have been so kind from all round the country, not just from my little patch.

"Thank you for everything, you have obviously been more kind than even I imagined you were but you are only paying back 40 or 50 years because I was kind as well."

He said he had wanted to thank the family of the person who donated his liver.

"It is very emotional you know, because you want to contact them and they don't want to be contacted.

"You want to thank everybody for giving what everybody describes as a second chance and it applies to all transplants throughout the world - you get a second chance, it is as simple as that."

Win or lose?

Since the operation, Clough has been seen in public watching Nationwide Conference side Burton Albion, which is managed by his son Nigel.

He praised the National Health Service for their "incredible" work and admitted he had enjoyed too many drinks in his life, as his wife Barbara reminds him.

"She said 'you have lived a life which is not a normal one by normal man's standards.

"'Every time you celebrated a win you should have declined a drink and every time you tried to drown your sorrows you should have come home half an hour earlier'.

"She said 'we couldn't work out if we wanted you to be successful or if we wanted you to be a loser'.

"How it affected my job I don't know because you are not the best judge but I concede it must have done sometime, somewhere."