Former Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough has died aged 69.

A spokesman for Derby City Hospital said that Clough died in hospital on Monday after a battle with stomach cancer.

The outspoken former Middlesbrough, Sunderland and England striker guided provincial clubs Derby County and Nottingham Forest to the English championship.

His finest achievement, though, was leading Forest to successive European Cup triumphs in 1979 and 1980.

Clough stepped down as Forest manager after 18 years in charge when they were relegated from the premier league in 1993.

He suffered from ill health in later years and underwent a liver transplant in January 2003.

"It's a major shock," one of his former Forest players Garry Birtles told Sky Sports. "He was a huge character. When he walked into a room, there was always a hush. He was one of those guys you were in awe of."