Martin O’Neill is renewing acquaintance with the Clough family, grateful for his managerial upbringing in the lower leagues.

The Sunderland boss worked as a player under Brian Clough as he took Nottingham Forest to the pinnacle of European football, but learned his trade in coaching at Grantham, Shepshed Charterhouse and Wycombe.

He will find himself in the opposite dugout to Clough’s son Nigel as the Black Cats head to Derby for a pre-season friendly on Wednesday night.

Clough Jnr also opted to begin his education out of the limelight and spent his formative years in management at Burton.

O’Neill told SAFC TV: “Let’s say some doors don’t open early in your managerial career.

“There’s nothing wrong with going into the lower leagues – personally, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“At the time you think that having stepped out of playing football at a good level, people would be falling over themselves to give you good jobs.

“It doesn’t work out that way – you have to work your way up. From my own viewpoint, I never regretted it.

“My days at Wycombe were fantastic, and – I would be interested to see if Nigel agrees with this – having worked for some time in the lower leagues gives you a greater sense of perspective on some things.”

O’Neill won the European Cup twice under Clough Snr and retains a huge admiration for his achievements, and he has been impressed by his son’s efforts to date.

He said: “His father was incredibly successful, both at Derby and Nottingham Forest, while Nigel chose to stay in non-league for a long time before he was coerced.

“He has done an exceptional job given the circumstances. Derby have been out of the big league for some time – the payments for being in the Premier League have gone and they are cutting their cloth accordingly.”