Nigel Clough returned to management as the new boss of English third tier strugglers Sheffield United on Wednesday, just under a month after being sacked by Championship side Derby County.

The 47-year-old replaced David Weir, who was dismissed earlier this month having won just one of his 10 league matches in charge of the Blades.

Clough's first game in charge of Yorkshire-based United is Saturday's home match against Crewe Alexandra.

On September 28, Clough was sacked as Derby manager just hours after team's 1-0 defeat by local Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest.

Clough had been the longest-serving boss in the second tier, but the former Forest, Liverpool and England striker's four-and-a-half year reign came to a shock end following the loss at his former club.

Derby's defeat left the team in 14th place in the table, seven points off the play-off places, and the Rams' board felt they had to act before a challenge for promotion to the Premier League was beyond them.

A run of three successive defeats in eight days cost Clough his job at the club where his late father Brian famously won the English top-flight title as manager in 1972.

Former England manager Steve McClaren was subsequently appointed as Nigel Clough's Derby successor.

Reflecting on his Derby dismissal, Clough said Wednesday: "I was disappointed and there was an element of anger there as well but we have to put that behind us.

"I am going to try and build a team here that is capable of challenging for promotion.

"I am looking forward to seeing the players at close quarters and things are slowly turning round.

"We have to be realistic, get out of the bottom four and go from there."

Asked if he had been tempted by taking over at north-east side Middlesbrough, the Championship club who recently parted company with former manager Tony Mowbray and where his father Brian made his name as a striker, Clough added: "When there was interest here (at Sheffield United) and you know you are wanted, that is a big compliment, so not too many thoughts (about Middlesbrough)."