The Damned United chronicles Brian Clough's ill-fated 44-day spell as Leeds United manager in 1974. Michael Sheen (above) plays Clough.

Clough arrived at Leeds as the most dynamic and successful young manager in England, having won the Championship with Derby in 1972.

The job at Leeds saw Clough work without his assistant Peter Taylor, played by Timothy Spall, for the first time.

The film has been described as a "love triangle" between Clough, Taylor and Don Revie, played by Colm Meaney.

Revie was reviled by Clough but revered by the Leeds faithful after 13 years in which he had turned them into England's best team.

The film switches between the dark days at Leeds and Clough's earlier glory years at Derby, where he won the 1972 league title.

Clough resigned from the Rams in 1973 after falling out with chairman Sam Longson, played by Jim Broadbent.

At Leeds, Clough immediately clashed with established stars such as Billy Bremner, played by Stephen Graham.

Clough was appalled by what he believed to be Leeds' dirty play and gamesmanship under Revie.

Clough's relationship with Leeds seemed doomed from the start and after winning just one of his first six games he was sacked.

The Damned United, based on the book of the same name by David Peace, is on general release in cinemas from 27 March.